BANSI MEHTA EXPLAINS WHY KIDS PLAY TRUANT FROM SCHOOLS AND WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT.
Most parents think that their baby- playing truant from school is merely an excuse to skip attendance. However, they fail to understand that thei
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You have selected the best preschool for your baby and your are excited for helping your child enter a new life. A life beyond home. However, in the weeks to come your realise that most of your time is being wasted away in cajoling your child to attend school, addressing his tantrums, attempting to bribe him/ her with things s/ he loves so that he does leave home for school.
Parenting is not just about spending time with the child but also preparing the child to adapt to situations where there is no one familiar person is around. A childs personality is developed when his upbringing is also defined by the people apart from his family. This is where school plays a pivotal role. There are very few children who do not cry on first day of school.
Majority babies cry because they find themselves alone and see no familiar faces around them.
” Babies adapting to pre- schools depends on the environment back at home. If the baby is too pampered and attached to the mother, h/ she will take more time to adjust to school routine and if the baby already has experience of being in day care centre it is more likely that there will not be any trouble adjusting,” said Dr Shobha Shashidhara, Child Psychologist, Bangalore. She further said that parents need to prepare the baby mentally and emotionally before the first day of school arrives. Let your child know about the details of the school.
Explain him/ her the things one can get in school, which may not be available at home. A perfect role is required in this case it could be a neighborhood child, cousin or sibling.
The idea of packing a bag, carrying a lunch- box and water bottle has to be made exciting for the baby.
Explain there are many like him/ her out there: The feeling of being alone is what majority babies fear. The fear can be allayed if parents can tag along with other babies attending school before their class beings. Having friends will help your baby cope better with the new surrounding.
Make your child realise that you will come back: Most babies demonstrate separation anxiety.
Parents should not leave the baby for three hours on day one of school. Leave for half an hour and take the process gradually.
Make your baby friendly and interactive with the teacher and other children in the classroom.
Talk to your child about things h/ she did in the class: It is important to demonstrate to the child that you care for your childs activity even when you were not around him. Listen to his nursery rhymes, test his colour sense in a playful manner, etc.
Appreciate his slightest achievement: For example pat him when he made his first paper boat or did colour painting or answered correctly to any of your questions. Rewarding at the smallest bit work best with children. A pat on the back, a hug, few kisses, an ice- cream or Popsicle can make your childs day. Time will heal: Give your baby some time to adjust. Do not expect him/ her to wake up and walk to school for the first month. Change takes time.
