Princess Louise is starting school Autumn Publishing
Advice for parents Starting school is an exciting and important time for every child and their parents There will be lots to do and think about before the big day It is normal for children to feel a little overwhelmed by it all Children will naturally have many thoughts and feelings about starting a new school They will be surrounded by unfamiliar people and things People will expect them to behave in specific ways and to do specific things at specific times It may be the first time that they are confronted with so many unknowns all at once All these unknowns can feel huge when they’re all wrapped up together giving a sense of vague unease or nameless dread Children are developing and learning all the time At this age they probably don’t yet have the experience to know how to interpret bodily feelings of dread and anxiety They may not be able to pinpoint the exact things that are making them feel uneasy or even be fully aware of the fact that they’re feeling not right They may react in different ways sometimes feeling excited overwhelmed
scared or confused or several of these things at once and they may be unable to put these feelings into words You may notice them behaving differently appearing more clingy sad withdrawn angry or anxious for a while If you’re worried about your child paying attention to changes in their behavior can help you to understand how they are feeling Thankfully once you are aware of your child’s feelings you can begin to reassure them and help them look forward to the future The best place to start is by talking to them about the changes that are coming The story in Princess Louise is Starting School is written to help your child understand that it’s normal to feel unsure in new situations It shows that they don’t have to deal with these things by themselves and inspires courage and confidence so that your child feels able to accept help manage uncertainty and feel safe This all helps your child to relax their mind and body which soothes their brain’s chemical response to anxiety and encourages a sense of hopefulness When you read this book together your child will feel listened to understood and safe They will develop confidence that you can resolve worries together which is an excellent precedent for any future problems that may arise If you feel worried about how your child will cope at school speak to the teacher and let them know you are concerned Keep speaking to them as your child progresses They may be able to offer practical support and additional help If your child doesn’t settle in the first semester you could also speak to your pediatrician or there are lots of counselors and therapists who deal with children’s emotions Always make sure anyone you consult is registered with a recognized professional body Dr Sharie Coombes
