Starting ‘big school’ represents a huge change for children and their families. The start of school is a time when a child experiences a range of different emotions and these need to be processed carefully to ensure a smooth transition to school. Some children thrive with the new school environment, learning new academic skills and trying to establish new relationships with their peers; while other children will need extra support to settle in. For some children, they will feel proud to be a big kid. For others, the start of school can be a mix of stress, anxiety and nervousness. It is normal for children to fear the unknown and experience stress about leaving the secure and nurturing home environment or preschool.

Children at this age may find it difficult to tell us how they feel so it is normal for them to express themselves through a range of behaviors. At a time of major change like starting school, some of these behaviors are not unexpected. Some behavior is easy to identify, such as tantrums and crying; while others can be much more difficult to notice, like being quieter and even more withdrawn than usual. It can be difficult for children to explain how they are feeling, so it is up to parents to help work out what feelings may be underlying their child’s behavior. This doesn’t mean ignoring challenging behavior – you still need to set clear limits. However, understanding how your child is feeling and why they are behaving in a particular way can help you work out how to support them emotionally.

What parents can do to help

It is very important for parents to be positive and encouraging. While learning new academic skills is important, focusing on the positive emotional development of the child is more important when they first start school. A happy and well-adjusted child is more likely to learn better and achieve success at school.

Your child will inevitably have some questions or concerns about starting school. Although it is tempting to quickly reassure them and move on, it is important to let your child know that their worries have been heard. Talk about what your child can expect when starting school and be calm, reassuring and positive with them. Do not dismiss or ignore their feelings but explore those feelings with them well in advance of their first day. A child’s fears will arise from not knowing, therefore discuss the new things that will happen and reassure them. Let your child know it is normal to feel happy, sad, excited, scared or worried. It is important to normalize their feelings by explaining that starting something new can feel scary and lots of people feel this way. Let them know it’s okay to feel nervous – other children will be feeling nervous too. It can be helpful to share a time when you started something new and how you felt. When you allow your child to share their worries, you can help them think through how to deal with them.

Preparation is the key

Discussing what the new school day routine will be like ahead of time can help to reduce any potential stress. Most children will start school not knowing many other children, so it may be useful to rehearse how to make friends. Your child will feel more confident by talking through and practicing some strategies for what they might do to get to know the other children; reminding them how they did this in situations in the past can also help. This is a big change in their lives, so the better prepared your child is, the more calm they will feel when they start.

Once they start school, check in with your child and find out how they are feeling. The best time to approach this is when they are feeling relaxed. We should always answer a child’s questions honestly and always be ready to provide reassurance when necessary.

Keep your own emotions in check

Often children who are nervous about starting school feel this way because they are feeding off their

parents’ anxieties. Monitor your own stress levels. Children can pick up on how you are feeling, so try to talk positively about school. Unless we make a fuss, the child will not know there is something for them to worry about.

If your child’s anxiety about school continues to cause them significant distress and impairs their social, academic and daily functioning, it is advised that you speak with their class teacher and if need be, a psychologist, to further investigate and tailor strategies to suit your child’s individual needs

Keeping cool when temperatures reach record highs isn’t just about comfort. Dangerously high temperatures can result in heat-related illnesses ranging from heat cramps to heat exhaustion and heat stroke. The following tips can help you keep cool all summer long.

1. Alter your pattern of outdoor exercise to take advantage of cooler times (early morning or late evening). If you can’t change the time of your workout, scale it down by doing fewer minutes, walking instead or running, or decreasing your level of exertion.
2. Wear loose-fitting clothing, preferably of a light color.
3. Cotton clothing will keep you cooler than many synthetics.
4. Fill a spray bottle with water and keep it in the refrigerator for a quick refreshing spray to your face after being outdoors.
5. Fans can help circulate air and make you feel cooler even in an air-conditioned house.
6. Try storing lotions or cosmetic toners in the refrigerator to use on hot, overtired feet.
7. Keep plastic bottles of water in the freezer; grab one when you’re ready to go outside. As the ice melts, you’ll have a supply of cold water with you.
8. Take frequent baths or showers with cool or tepid water.
9. Combat dehydration by drinking plenty of water along with sports drinks or other sources of electrolytes.
10. Some people swear by small, portable, battery-powered fans. At an outdoor event I even saw a version that attaches to a water bottle that sprays a cooling mist.
11. I learned this trick from a tennis pro: if you’re wearing a cap or hat, remove it and pour a bit of ice cold water into the hat, then quickly invert it and place on your head.
12. Avoid caffeine and alcohol as these will promote dehydration.
13. Instead of hot foods, try lighter summer fare including frequent small meals or snacks containing cold fruit or low fat dairy products. As an added benefit, you won’t have to cook next to a hot stove.
14. If you don’t have air-conditioning, arrange to spend at least parts of the day in a shopping mall, public library, movie theater, or other public space that is cool. Many cities have cooling centers that are open to the public on sweltering days.
15. Finally, use common sense. If the heat is intolerable, stay indoors when you can and avoid activities in direct sunlight or on hot asphalt surfaces. Pay special attention to the elderly, infants, and anyone with a chronic illness, as they may dehydrate easily and be more susceptible to heat-related illnesses. Don’t forget that pets also need protection from dehydration and heat-related illnesses too.

Juneteenth (short for “June Nineteenth”) marks the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1865 to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people be freed. The troops’ arrival came a full two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth honors the end to slavery in the United States and is considered the longest-running African American holiday. On June 17, 2021, it officially became a federal holiday. Juneteenth (June 19th) IS and WILL always be a day to remember enslaved ancestors, to rejoice for those who found liberation from forced labor, and to spend time with friends and loved ones. At Little Thinkers, We Love and Celebrate you!

PRIDE is an acronym for Personal Rights in Defense and Education. The organization was formed in Los Angeles, California in 1966 by Steve Ginsburg.Visibility is crucial to fighting shame and social stigma, marching in the face of threats and violence. Pride Month is a month-long observance in celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people—and the history, culture, and contributions of these people and their communities. Pride events inspire celebrations of difference and show that LGBTQ+ communities will not to be intimidated and will continue to demand equality. Little Thinkers is a Inclusive, diverse, accepting, welcoming, safe space for everyone. Peace and Kindness will always be a pillar in who we are and what we represent.

“Do you believe in magic?”Joy the Clown came to Little Thinkers and put on a wonderful show! the children laughed, jumped and were surprised with all the little magical trinkets and animals. Thank you Joy The Clown for giving the children just what you are..JOY! If anyone wants to book her click on her name for more info.

The Turtles matched jelly beans with the corresponding egg on the table.

The Kangaroos counted and sorted the jelly beans by color!

The Eagles preformed a science experiment, using the jelly beans and vinegar! It did not smell good!

We love Jelly Beans!!!