Is your child ready for school? Learn from a counselor the 40-day formula for building confidence.

News Topical, Digital Desk : With the arrival of a new academic year, many questions and concerns arise in parents' minds. Markets are awash with new bags and bottles, but is your child mentally prepared for the transition that will take them from the safety of their home couch to their school desk? 

Experts says that, School isn't just about buying a new backpack, notebooks, books, or a bottle, but also about preparing your child mentally. It's a process that builds a child's self-confidence. With patience and proper planning, you can make your child's first day in the classroom a memorable and enjoyable experience.  

Understand the challenge 

Today's children are experiencing behavioral changes post-COVID. Three main reasons for their discomfort in the classroom are a lack of discipline, a limited social circle, and dependency. At home, there are no set times for sleeping, waking, and eating. 

The disciplined school environment can feel restricting. The lack of outside interaction makes children nervous about crowds and noise. Relying on parents for even small tasks (like drinking water or using the restroom) makes them feel unsafe at school.  

Detox in 40 days 

Weaning your child off screens is the first step in preparing for school. The human brain needs 40 days to adjust to any new behavior. Start reducing screen time at least four to six weeks before the start of school. 

Don't just keep your child away from the phone, but also have all family members declare an hour a day a "no phone zone." Replace screens with board games, painting, or physical activity. 

Increase concentration by playing games 

Concentration is essential for classroom sitting. This can be developed through playful activities. For this, say a line from a story and ask your child to continue. 

This encourages children to listen and think. Play games that require them to wait their turn. This develops social patience. Emphasize mindful games, not just running around, but also sedentary ones.  

Make it easy to walk away 

The fear of being away from parents is a major concern for children. To overcome this, trust-building is essential. For this, leave your child with a trusted person for short periods (10-20 minutes) every few days. 

If you said you'd be back in 10 minutes, be back in exactly 10 minutes. This will reassure your child that going away doesn't mean leaving. 

Avoid extremes 

Parents often talk about school so much out of excitement or anxiety that the child becomes afraid. Instead of presenting school as a "big event," describe it as a normal routine. 

Don't make grand promises like, "It'll be so much fun there." Instead, say, "Let's see what new things we'll learn there." Involve the elders in this change so that the child feels that the entire family is with them on this new journey.

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