Changes
Some tips that might help
- Getting to know where you are going. Maybe Mum or Dad would be able to help you with this? Can you go for a walk around the school in the holidays and check out where your new classroom is, where the toilets are, and which playground you will be using?
- Getting ready the night before. Having your bag packed (as much as you can) and your uniform out the night before means that you don't have to rush so much in the morning. If you aren't rushing it's easier to stay calm and relaxed. But don't get so organised that you wear your uniform to bed, or you will go to school all crumpled ;-)
- Getting a good night's sleep is really important. It's so much easier to cope when you are rested. But sometimes, when something big is going to happen the next day (like starting school) that can be tough. Some kids have told us that having a warm bath before bed, playing some soothing music or spending a bit of extra quiet time with Mum or Dad can help. Writing down the things you are worried about, so the worries are on paper rather than rattling around in your head, can be a big help too (get a bigger person to help if you haven't learn to write yet)
- Eating a healthy breakfast. It's so much easier to feel strong and to deal with new things if you have a tummy full of healthy food. So even if you don't feel like eating breakfast (and feeling nervous can do that to you) it's important to try to eat something
- Talking to someone about how you are feeling. Whether you are feeling excited about the changes that are happening or worried about how things will go, it's good to talk to someone. Maybe you could ask mum or dad or your grandparents about what it was like when they had to make a change. Were they worried or were they excited? What helped them? And how did it all turn out?
Who would be a good person for you to talk to?