While growing up is sometimes a fun process for a child, sometimes it is an anxious path towards the unknown. Just like STARTING SCHOOL...
School, which is the first environment where the child steps into the socialization process, is a new and unknown process for the child. "Starting school", which is an important milestone in a child's life, is a new process and can sometimes bring with it fear and anxiety because it is unknown for the child. Fear of school, which is generally seen between the ages of 6 and 11, can also be seen in younger age groups. If this situation in the child is not intervened in time, it may lead to other psychological problems in the child's later years.
What Should Parents Do?
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Prepare your child for school! Make school shopping fun and shop together. Let your child see the school before the schools start, and if possible, help your child by showing him around the school (where the toilet and classroom are, etc.) to find answers to his unknown questions.
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Meet his teacher! Sometimes, children who have problems separating from their parents wonder in their minds, "What will I do without my mother?" “Who do I ask for help?” They may become afraid in the school environment with questions such as these. For this reason, introduce your child to his teacher before school starts and share with him that he can get support from his teacher in situations where he needs help.
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Do not ignore his questions! As school time approaches, your child becomes excited, He begins to seek answers to many questions with feelings such as anxiety. Guide your child to feel safe and comfortable in the school environment and give clear, concrete and detailed answers to his/her questions (What if I can't find a friend, how do I make friends, what if I miss you, what if I forget my belongings, etc.) as clear, concrete and detailed as possible.
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Pay attention to the first day! Your child may not want to leave you and may even cry. In this situation, be determined, consistent, patient and calm. Anxiety is a mirror image state. Remember that as you worry, your child will also worry. Always express in a soft tone when you will pick him up and send him off with a smile. Saying goodbye is a parting Keep it short and follow the teacher's instructions without returning to the rhyme. After school, greet your child with a smile and always follow this routine.
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Empathize! Some changes in your life (job change, moving to a new place). Your child may experience fear and anxiety in this new and unknown situation, just like the fears you experience in your child, having a child, etc.
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"My stomach hurts today" Your school In the first weeks, your child may cry, may not want to go to school, and you may even experience unexplained stomach aches. These situations are expected behaviors for the child who is in the orientation process. However, you should still not ignore your child's feelings. Encourage your child to express his feelings to you and talk to him. Try to understand why he is afraid or does not want to go to school and communicate with your school about the issue.
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Be Consistent! One parent should not say, "He should go to school today," while the other parent says he can stay at home. There should be a clear idea, behavior and attitude between parents.
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Get Support! Even though all these studies are carried out by the parents, if your child starts to experience problems such as loss of appetite, reluctance (such as not playing his favorite game), bedwetting/fecal incontinence, and sleep problems since the school period, do not forget to get expert support.
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