Prepare and practise

Practical preparations ahead of the first day of school can help ease any nerves or anxiety your child might feel. It might help to try:

• organising and trying on uniforms and shoes
• packing lunch boxes 
• testing out their backpacks
• practise walking or travelling to and from school
• getting to know other students beforehand.

Raising Children, the Australian parenting website supported by the Department of Social Services, provides a list of key points and actions to consider when preparing your child for primary school that covers:

• getting familiar with your child’s new school
• talking and managing feelings about starting school.

Read more practical tips at Raising Children to help prepare your child for primary school.