MY BOY'S FIRST DAY TO SCHOOL

Schooling is such an important part of growth and learning process,yet when I was getting my 

little boy ready for his first day to school I was very worried.Am I pushing him too early?Is he 

ready for this burden?Will he be safe in school?Will he hate me for this?May be sending him 

this early might shatter his confidence in me.All these questions and a lot more horrible 

thoughts were buzzing in my mind.I just wanted to hold him in a big huggie and never let go, 

but something stopped me.That something was the intention of my baby's well being.If I don't 

send him to preschool when he is three(mashallah),he might never be ready for proper school.

So,I just held his hand and marched into the school.I introduced him to teachers and playmates 

(again,because we have been there a couple of times already).Then I said I will wait until you 

finish playing and I went and sat in the waiting area.After a few minutes a teacher advised me 

to leave now and come later to pick him.Well,they are more experienced so I left.When I cam 

back after an hour my poor baby was bawling.He was screaming for mommy.I calmed him 

down,asked the teacher about this day and bought him some Cheetos to sooth him.

Very upset I came home and searched online for the proper age of schooling.According to 

modern research,schooling should not began before 5to 6 years of age.Shocking huh.Well 

schooling means proper schooling,like homework,class work,assignments etc.Playgroup is 

not considered schooling,(although it is a part of school set up in Pakistan).Playgroups are a 

part of preschool.

PLAYGROUP is a setup where parents stay with children while they interact and learn new things.Parents arrange these groups and introduce activities in the circle.This form is almost non existent in our society.

Then comes PRE-SCHOOL.Pre school is a sort of training period before real schooling 

starts.Kids are given independence and they are free to choose from a variety of learning activity.Timings are from 9am to 12 noon.Parents don't stay with their kids and children are 

left in the care of a kind (and mostly pretty...lolz) teacher.This is the most popular type of 

school in our setup in Pakistan.Proper age for preschool is three to five. 

HOW TO TELL THAT YOUR BABY IS INDEPENDENT ENOUGH TO JOIN  

                                                      PRESCHOOL?

Before you get the child in preschool you should make sure that:

1.He/she is independent in activities like washing hands,eating lunch etc.

2.He/she can communicate his needs easily.

3.Child can spend some of his time away from you.If not then practice it in the weeks leading 

to start of school.

4.The child is potty trained(although this might not be a big problem).

So,my mood lifted a little because my boy turned three (mashallah) two months back.So,I am 

not being cruel and over ambitious now to ease him into school.

7 THINGS YOU CAN DO FOR YOUR KID TO EASE HIM INTO PRESCHOOL

I did a few things which helped me a lot.

1).I always talked about school as a very exciting place.His father and I,(pretending that we were talking among ourselves as in adult discussions),talked about the toys,the kids and the 

pretty teacher at school.We did it with serious faces,mind you.Children can always tell if you 

are serious or just saying it to fool them. 

2)-His father bought Barney's videos for him to watch and they helped in getting the concept of 
playing with friends without mum around.He learned many poems and rhymes from it too.

3)-I took him to school many times.After introduction and spending some time,brought him 

back.This got him used to his school and the fear of unseen place,at least,didn't bother him.

4)-I bought him a pretty bag shaped like Disney car's character Mcqueen and lunch Box to get 
him excited.

5)-Told his teacher about his likes and dislike so that she could easily handle his tantrums. 

Gave her all the useful information like his favourite toy,his favourite snack etc.

6)-Tried hard not to show him any weakness I was feeling about leaving him there.I tried to be 

positive and sound like I was enjoying it too.I made it sound like this was the best thing 

happening.

7)-When he came home,I talked to my mother,in front of him about how fun his school was 

and what a lovely teacher he has.Oh how I wish I could have gone to school too(God knows I 

don't :-P )

Well after all this exercise,he did cry at school(like most children),but he was not repellent to 
the idea of going to school.He didn't say that he didn't want to go.All he said was that he 
wanted his father to go along with him,because mommy deserted him.So,he took his daddy 
along the next day so that he could give his teacher a "talking to" for keeping such a lovely boy in school.I hope things get better from now on wards.


All the kids go to school,but the first time is very hard for mommy and for the child.I am just 
trying my best to do it in a way that won't leave a traumatic memory in his mind.If you know 
of anything else that would help do share.


Have a good day.