It's back to school week and many kids will be starting school for the very first time.
TODAY psychologist Jo Lamble joined the team to discuss how to make the kids feel comfortable.
1. Quickly establish a routine
They will be very tired in the early weeks and need to have a reasonably early mealtime and bedtime.
2. Ask specific questions
If you ask them "How was your day?", you will get "good" as your answer every day.
Instead, help them to express themselves by asking who they sat next to for most of the day or what they liked best about the day.
That way, they can start talking to you about their school life.
But don't panic if their answers are "no one" or "nothing". It can take time to develop this daily conversation.
3. Organise play dates
Even though they will be very tired in the early weeks, you will be helping them to develop friendships if you organise a few get togethers with their new little buddies.
It doesn't have to be a big deal, just an hour at the park or a quick play on a Friday afternoon, should help their confidence.
Friendships are often formed away from the playground and continued at school.
4. Don't fight over homework
Most kindy kids start getting spelling lists or readers to look at in the first term of school.
Some children lap it up and can't wait to get stuck into a bit of homework, especially if they've seen their older siblings do it for years.
But many children have struggled to sit still and concentrate all day and the last thing they want to do is to sit down and go through a reader or a spelling list.
Take their lead - and slowly build up a homework routine as the years progress.
