The first term: what to do and expect

Things can change considerably for families when a child officially becomes a student. New places, new people and new rules for them can mean new routines for everyone.

Suggestions to help first-time students adapt to their new school environment include:

• starting with a healthy breakfast, as well as packing a healthy lunch box with familiar foods in an easy-to-eat format
• reading books together that encourage positive feelings about school
• talking with siblings, relations or others who are enjoying school
• sharing your own experiences starting school so your child knows being nervous is okay
• being consistent in how you travel to and from school 
• keeping to similar times and locations when dropping off and picking up from school.

Read the Getting ready for primary school booklet (PDF, 13MB) for tips and checklists to help parents and carers prepare children for kindergarten.