Enrolling your child in their very first class can hold a handful of emotions for both you and your child. There are so many exciting things about taking a class; the new skills they are going to learn, the new friends they are going to make, and the independence they are going to gain from doing it all on their own. But with the excitement can also come some nerves. If it is their first class, they don’t know what to expect and it can get them a little bit uneasy. It’s important to let the know that these feelings that they are having are completely normal and it is okay for them to have them. There are several things that you can do as their parent to help ease some of their anxieties about their first class.
1. Talk About It-When thinking about enrolling your child in a class, you want to be open about it with your child. Some kids get really nervous when they know that they are going to meet new people and in a new environment. It’s important to keep an open conversation going about the class that they are going to take and what it’s going to be like for them. The most important thing is to let them know what a great experience they are going to have and the wonderful memories they are going to make.
2. Get Them Involved- Get your child to help you find what class is best for them. When you are discussing the class with them, ask them about their interests and what kind of extracurricular activities they want to get involved in. The more involved they are in the process of getting them registered for the class, the more excited they will be on the first day!
3. Share Your Story-If you have a child that is nervous about taking a class, it’s always great to share your story with them. Did you do extracurricular activities when you were a kid? What did you enjoy about them? What did you gain from them. Share all of this with your child. This will help them to become more confident when they walk into the class for the first time.
4. Take a Practice Run-Show your child where the class will take place. It’s also a great idea for a rainy day to set up a “pretend class” in your home and let them run through what it is going to be like. They will have fun getting used to everything while you will be creating a wonderful bonding experience.
5. Let Them Share Their Story- When they get home from that first day of class, sit down and let them tell you everything about it. Let them tell you what they loved about it, the new friends that they made, and they might even share with you some of the things they might still be nervous about. If you let them tell you all about their experience, it will help get them excited about their next class!
Courtesy: Lauren Jimeson
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