any issues. Create a communication notebook to make it easier for your child’s teacher to send notes and provide feedback on a consistent basis. Engage in brief drop off and pickup conversations, asking about any concerns or fun highlights of your child’s day. 4. Schedule a Personal Tour: Offer your child an opportunity to feel comfortable getting to know the teacher. Seeing the bathrooms/playgrounds/classrooms and knowing what to expect before the first day of school will alleviate some fears. Part of the worries result from the negative “what if” scenarios of new people, new environments and new responsibilities. 5. Practice Social Skills: Arrange playdates with other children to help your child learn to share, take turns, and play cooperatively. Role playing scenarios which include asking questions, giving compliments and story time sharing offer fun opportunities to practice communication skills. 6. Encourage Independence: Give your child opportunities to make choices, like picking out their clothes or selecting a snack. Guide your child in basic self-care routines like brushing their teeth, washing their hands, and dressing themselves. Start with easy tasks and gradually increase the complexity as they gain confidence. This boosts their confidence and decision-making skills. 7. Introduce Learning Activities: Engage in simple learning activities like counting objects, identifying colors, letters and naming shapes to stimulate their cognitive development. Teach basic skills like recognizing their name, holding a pencil, and following simple instructions. Make the learning process fun by using watercol40 HAWAII PARENT November/December 2024 Seeing the school’s environment and knowing what to expect before the first day of school will alleviate some fears. “Children can learn how to manage their emotions, handle stress, and develop resilience if they understand simple coping strategies.”
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