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Starting First Grade – Emotional and Social Readiness: How to Cope with Major Anxiety About the New Situation?


The transition to first grade is an exciting time, but alongside the excitement and joy of change, fears and anxieties often arise — both for parents and children.

What will happen? How will I cope? Will I have friends? These are all natural questions that come up for children (and for us, the parents).

Instead of letting the fear take over, you can help them see this transition as a positive and empowering experience.

Here are some practical tips for calming fears and preparing your child for positive thinking ahead of first grade:


Tips for Calming Fears and Anxiety in Children


Share success stories about children who moved to first gradeFriendly stories can be a natural and pleasant way to encourage your child to cope with their fears about the transition.Choose books describing children in first grade: books like "Mrs. Kereshet and Mr. Maruach" or stories where the main character faces similar challenges.Through the storyline, your child can identify, see how the child in the story overcame difficulties, and understand that they can too.Share positive stories from your own life: tell about your first experiences at school. Emphasize the joyful and successful moments of the transition, and especially how you dealt with your own fears.

This way, your child can see the transition to first grade as gentle, amusing, and even exciting.


Open Conversation: Identifying the Fear and Talking About It Together

Fears appear much less scary when they are spoken out loud.An open conversation, where you find out what stresses your child, is the key to reducing anxiety.Guiding questions:"What excites you most about first grade?""What do you think will be a little hard?""Is there something that worries or scares you?"Listen, without dismissing their feelings! Even if the fear seems "small" or silly to you, give it space and show empathy: "I understand that this really sounds confusing at first."

From there, you can talk about practical solutions and give them tools to cope.


Emotional Preparation with “Practice Play” of Situations

Children understand situations much better when they are pleasantly simulated.Role play at home: “The first day at school”You are the teacher, and your child is the new student. Act out small everyday classroom moments together: seeing the new backpack, solving the first assignment, introducing themselves to the class.Simulate the feeling in advance:If possible, take your child to visit the new school before classes start to see the classroom, yard, and even the teacher.


Familiar images and early experiences will reduce the level of anxiety on the first day.

Encourage Positive Thinking and Curiosity About the Transition

It’s not just the fears that change the picture — it’s important to show your child the advantages waiting for them in first grade:Talk about the new experiences: “You’ll meet new kids, learn interesting things, and even take part in big recesses!”Encouraging phrases:“I’m sure you’ll do amazing things.”“You might be excited now, but in a few days you’ll be proud of yourself.”“This is just one small step on the way—and you are ready!”


Positive thinking harnesses your child into a good, proactive feeling and makes them look forward to the first day with enthusiasm.

Building Trust in the Process — Building Confidence Together

Children feel secure when they know their parents and environment support them.Quality time: Dedicate regular moments to talking about first grade in a light way (during play, drawing, or making sandwiches together).Keep calm and consistent: Your child draws their mindset from you. If you are calm, so will they be.

Changes are an Opportunity for Growth


Fears and worries are a natural part of any transition, especially one as significant as entering first grade. When we give them space, but accompany them with a supportive and positive approach, children not only get used to change but also learn how to cope with similar challenges in the future.

Good luck



 

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Ilana Cahana 

Personalized Teaching | Parent Counseling and Guidance | ADHD | Integrative Coaching for Children and Teens | Lectures for Parents and Educational Staff

For contact and scheduling an appointment:  

Phone  0535453350  



 
 
 

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