School Readiness- A Handy Guide for Parents to Prep-up Children for a New Academic Year 2h361

Dr. Gunda Srinivas, Consultant, Paediatrics Emergency and Paediatrics, Aster RV Hospital

As the new academic year approaches, most parents start off by purchasing stationery, uniform clothes and many more to-dos. But true school readiness is far deeper. It’s more than just new uniforms and books. It’s the physical, mental and emotional readiness, social adaptability, academic preparedness, and logistical systems that ease the transition into school life. Here’s a detailed checklist for parents to ensure their child walks back into the school amidst new teachers and friends with confidence and joy.

1. Physical Health

• Health check-up: Make sure to complete any pending check-ups, including vaccinations, dental visits. Dr visits also help in screening for anaemia, vitamin deficiencies, vision and hearing screening. Flu vaccination is important since school opening and the onset of flu season coincide. Any missed or scheduled vaccination can be completed. These visits also help screen for any developmental/ behavioural concerns.
• Sleep hygiene: Holidays usually are a late to bed and late to rise routine for most children. Help reset their bedtime and wake-up time at least a week in advance to align to the school timings. Lack of sleep leads to fatigue, poor attention, and irritability. Stop screen atleast 2 hrs before sleep. Have adequate time for a simple morning routine with some physical activity and prayer. 
• Nutrition: Make sure to reset the food routine as well from a late breakfast or a brunch to keeping proper time for a slow breakfast and snack times matching the school routines. Stop eating out or eating heavy food atleast a week before to avoid any tummy upsets etc.
• Exercise and movement: Every day physical activity is a mandotory routine that is very important to balance their energies and avoid screen time. 
• Routine Bowel training: Ensure school going kids are bowel trained and have a daily routine to avoid constipation and need for untimely bowel emptying at schools or public places.
• Personal hygiene: Teach proper handwashing, nail trimming, toilet habits, and how to manage sneezing or coughing safely which is very important for the first timers to school. 

2. Mental and Emotional Readiness

• Confidence building: Any efforts of the child should be praised and not just the outcomes. Small tasks of daily living like packing bags, tying shoe laces, arranging their belongings need to be appreciated. This builds their confidence.
• Talk and listen: Help children to understand what is expected in the new school/class. Talk about the unpleasant aspects as well and keep them prepared with a plan. Listen their perspectives and fears and acknowledge them.
• Separation anxiety: Simulate short separations from you such as staying with a relative/grandparents, to help your child adjust your absence especially for the first timers to the school.
• Stress management: Teach simple breathing techniques when feeling overwhelmed or possible conflicts with peers.

3. Social and Communication Skills

• Basic etiquette: Teach polite greetings to teachers and others with an eye and a smile, asking for help, and expressing needs appropriately to teachers or school staff. Encourage and reinforce importance of emptying urinary bladder as needed and not to postpone voiding in school. 
• Interaction opportunities: Encourage them to interact with friends old and new initiate conversations proactively. This helps them to gain confidence and build self esteem.
• Conflict resolution: Discuss how to handle disagreements or uncomfortable situations assertively, kindly and without raising their voice. 

So, school readiness is not a universal checklist. It’s a gradual process of nurturing habits, skills, and confidence in your child customised to your child. By focusing on all domains of development—physical, emotional, social, academic, and practical—you empower your child to enjoy the learning experience in school.