Handling the Upset Child …!!!

In spite of the best efforts of both teacher and parents a small number of children will still become upset. If your child happens to be one of them don’t panic. Patience and perseverance can work wonders.

A Word of Advice

Trust the teacher. She is experienced and resourceful and is used to coping with all kinds of starting –off problems.

Try not to show any outward signs of your own distress. Sometimes the parents are more upset than the child and are the main cause of his anxiety.

When you have reassured him, leave as fast as possible. The teacher can distract and humour him more easily when you are not around.

Check back discreetly in a short while. You will invariably find that calm has been restored.

You must be firm from the start. Even if a child is upset you must insist that he stay for a short time-even ten minutes. He must never feel that he is winning the psychological battle of wills.

As Time Goes on…

Get him into the habit of being in good time for school from the beginning.

Children need plenty of rest after the effort and excitement of a day at school. You should ensure that he gets to bed early and has a good night’s sleep.

When he has settled in and hopefully, looks upon school as a “home from home” do continue to show interest in his daily adventures. Give him an ear if he wants to tell you things-but don’t pester him with questions.

Mind that you take some of his “stories” with a pinch of salt.

If his progress is slow do not compare him adversely with other children while he is listening. Loss of self-esteem can be very damaging to him.

Be careful too about criticising his teacher in his presence. Remember that she is his mother figure while he is at school and for his own well being it is important that he has a good positive image of her.

This last caution applies to his image of the school as well. His school is always “the greatest”-whatever its faults.

He is not going to be a model of perfection all the time-thankfully. You should try to have patience with his shortcomings and praise for his achievements.

Children often “forget” or relay messages incorrectly, so please, check your child’s bag each night for notes.

You have received a book list outlining the books and other bits and pieces your child will need for the year. We would appreciate if the money for Art and Craft’s and the money for photocopying were paid before end of September. and they love the thrill of being the best, despite being the newest in the school. So please, do help them along.