Embrace Your Anxiety on Kindergarten's First Day
In a heartfelt journey, a parent shares their experiences as their children take on the challenges and joys of kindergarten. Five years ago, the author's twins stepped into their kindergarten class, a moment filled with anxiety, fear, and worry for the parent. Contrary to expectations, the twins walked confidently into their new environment.
Fast forward to today, and the twins are now fifth-graders, while the author's younger son recently began his kindergarten year. The author felt a mix of emotions, including a little heartbreak for the baby who'd left, but also excitement for the new adventure that lay ahead.
The author hoped that their child's love for math, a subject they cherished, would last a lifetime. Yet, the author didn't fully appreciate the opportunities kindergarten offers until now. The realization marks a new beginning for both the author and their child.
To help their children transition smoothly on the first day of kindergarten, the author employed several strategies. Visiting the school in advance to make it familiar and safe was crucial. Introducing the child to group activities before school started, such as library story hours or music classes, also helped them practice following directions in a group setting similar to a classroom.
Maintaining calm confidence was essential, as children pick up on parental anxiety. Having simple, honest conversations about what to expect, addressing their fears and curiosity about the day-to-day aspects like lunch, bathroom breaks, and meeting other kids, was also helpful.
Establishing predictable routines 1-2 weeks before school started, such as consistent wake-up times, breakfast, getting dressed (with some choice), packing their backpack, and a special goodbye ritual, also eased the transition. Sending a small comfort item or family photo with them to soothe first-day jitters and separation anxiety was another comforting measure.
Encouraging independence beforehand, practicing skills like opening snacks and using the bathroom alone, built confidence. After school, having a calm unwind routine—30 minutes without screens, a snack, quiet play or storytime, and an earlier bedtime—helped reset for the next day.
Reassuring the child and pointing out positive aspects of school helped build excitement and reduce anxiety. Getting involved in the child's school community, if possible, also helped both parent and child feel more connected to the new environment.
This year, the author's younger son started kindergarten, and the author expected to feel the same emotional roller coaster as five years ago. However, the author was pleasantly surprised to find that their son walked confidently into his class, just like his older siblings did.
The article, originally published several years ago, was updated most recently on August 4, 2025, by the website's associate editor, Kari Hanson. Kari Hanson is currently preparing for her sons' first days of their sophomore and junior year of high school.
As the author reflects on their children's kindergarten experiences, they cannot help but feel grateful for the endless possibilities that kindergarten represents for their child. The author expects their child to make lifelong friendships in kindergarten, and they eagerly await the science projects, history lessons, and budding love for math that their child will experience during this exciting time.
- As the author's younger son embarked on his kindergarten year, they were surprised by his confident stride, mirroring that of his older siblings.
- Establishing routines and preparing children for their school day with simple, honest conversations can help ease their transition into a new environment.
- The author believes that kindergarten offers opportunities that would foster their child's lifelong friendships and educational growth.
- In the home-and-garden section of the lifestyle magazine, articles often cover strategies for helping kids transition smoothly into kindergarten, emphasizing understanding family-dynamics and education-and-self-development.
