Bathroom Skills 101
Going to the bathroom at school often takes the top spot on a kid's list of anxieties, and for good reason. Young children still don't have total control of their bladder. At age five, 15 percent of all children are still at risk of having daytime wetting accidents. Your child may have bladder signals that come on suddenly (so he'll have to dash to the bathroom), or he may not recognize the early warning signs that he has to go. Plus, kids this age tend to get so absorbed in what they are doing that they'll wait until the last minute to go potty.
Teachers will schedule regular bathroom breaks, but reassure your child that he can ask to go anytime. By kindergarten, kids have the bladder capacity to last only three to five hours, so they should be going at least twice during the day. It's especially important to remind your child to go about an hour after lunch, since most accidents happen in the middle of the afternoon. Explain that even if he does have an accident, that the teacher will help and that he shouldn't worry, since it happens to lots of kids.
You can help make your child's bathroom trip easier by ensuring that he can undo his own buttons and snaps. Even though your child may look adorable in overalls, he probably can't get them off very quickly. Tights are another big challenge for little girls, so try swapping them for leggings until she gets the hang of quick pull downs.
Friendship Fine Arts
Walking into a classroom full of new faces can make any child quiver. To boost his bravery, give him a refresher course in making friends. Assure him that his classmates are just as nervous as he is. Talk about how you made friends at a new job or mommy group - maybe you were worried at first, but everything turned out just fine.
Try role-playing to help your child feel comfortable approaching potential friend. He might look for something he has in common with one of his classmates (noticing the color of someone's backpack that is similar to his or is his favorite color). Let your kids order his meal at a restaurant or give money to a cashier so he can practice talking to new people.
Don't forget to cover the ways your child can be a good friend, such as sharing and taking turns. Praise him when he shares toys or waits to use the swing at the park, and explain that kids will be happy when he does the same at school.
Bus Basics
The giant yellow bus can make any child tremble, and it's easy to see why: Chances are your child has never set foot in anything larger than an SUV. Check in with the school to see whether it offers a practice bus ride before the first day so your child can see that it's not so scary.
If there's no test run, take a walk with your child to her bus stop before school starts and go over the essential information she needs to know. Tell her that you'll introduce her to the driver and that he'll make sure everyone on the bus stays safe. You might suggest that she sit near the driver if she'll feel more relaxed being close to an adult. Cover dismissal time too, since kids are often anxious about finding the right bus after school. The teacher will probably explain the procedure, but you can prepare your child ahead of time.
Intro to Dining
Your child's fine motor skills are still developing, so opening plastic containers or sandwich bags can easily turn into a frustrating battle. Avoid mealtime meltdowns by running through a few "practice" school lunches at home. You'll learn what she can't open and have time to rethink your lunch packing technique.
Kat Hafen writes for many baby publications including HugaMonkey, which has baby slings, changing pads, baby carriers, and much more. Visit HugaMonkey to find the perfect item to help with your baby!
Tags: family, children, parenting, teaching children social skills, children and potties, bathroom skills