With the start of kindergarten or the new school year, the associated emotions arise, affecting both children and adults. And if it's the first day of kindergarten or school, the emotions can be even stronger. Each of us remembers the first day of kindergarten and school, and how excited yet scared we were at the same time, knowing that we were entering a new and unknown territory.
For parents, the stress is even greater because they won't know how quickly their little ones will adapt to the new environment. The first week is critical, as it's the period during which children will come into contact with many new people they'll need to socialize with. Children who are entering a collective environment for the first time will gradually have to discover what this means.
Kindergarten is a child's first step towards belonging to a community and adapting to an entirely new environment. Kindergarten, although it might seem so, is not just a place to play; it's where the process of a child's socialization begins. Without a doubt, transitioning from the family environment to a community composed of unknown children and adults requires an effort of adaptation from the child. However, not all children are the same. Some feel comfortable from the first moment and integrate immediately, enjoying the company of other children. On the other hand, some children need a longer period to adjust.
When it comes to starting school, children must be prepared again for the transition from preschool to formal education. Preparation for this special day in a child's life starts in the last year of kindergarten, with the application of rules that are fundamental in school. Similarly, parents must adopt a specific attitude toward this transition, as they play a crucial role in how their children approach school: confidently, relaxed, in good spirits, understanding, and very patient, both at the beginning of the school year and throughout it. Parents must handle their child's psyche tactfully and delicately, facilitating their school adaptation. The academic success of the child depends on the close collaboration between the family and the school, and the harmonious relationships between these educational factors.
Entering school means contact with the educational institution and a range of new things, including certain rules. The role of the teacher is one of the most important in a student's school life, as they spend a lot of time with the child, establish many rules, and introduce a lot of new information.
Play is the basic activity through which a child needs to learn at this age. The teacher's role is to educate the student to take on their first responsibilities, skills, and knowledge that should progress gradually. Therefore, the idea of setting up play areas in all educational institutions for young ages is embraced, as play is the easiest way to teach young children all the new and useful things they encounter.