Excitement, anxiety, and separation can make the first school day overwhelming. A clinical psychologist explains how parents can ease the transition.
The first day of school brings a mix of excitement, stress, anxiety, and joy for children, who may struggle to navigate these conflicting emotions. It is an emotional milestone for both children and their parents, but it is not without stress and can sometimes turn into a difficult experience for both. To make this day as positive and memorable as possible, while helping children transition more smoothly into school life, clinical psychologist Tasneem Kanafani discusses several measures that can make a meaningful difference.
According to Kanafani, parents are the most significant part of a child's life, and children see the world through them. The way parents deal with their child, with honesty and within a relationship built on trust and clarity, can determine how flexible and positive the child will be when facing their first day at school, and vice versa.
When parents do not deal honestly with their child, particularly when leaving or distancing themselves, the experience can become more difficult. Children remember these experiences, and their future social relationships can be shaped by the level of trust they experienced from their parents.
At the same time, the child's separation from their parents and being alone in an unfamiliar environment naturally contributes to the emotions they experience on the first day of school.
Many children follow a familiar routine, moving between their home, their grandparents' house, and time spent playing with relatives. This differs from children who attend daycare, where they are already exposed to unfamiliar children and adults. The more children interact with new people and experience different forms of stimulation, the more positively they may respond to new experiences at school and the less confused they may feel.
From birth, the mother is a primary source of security for the child, making it natural for her to feel anxious about entrusting her child to the school, educators, and teachers, Kanafani explains.
This concern stems from her feelings toward her child and from being accustomed to having him in her embrace as a source of security. These emotions can, in turn, be reflected in both the mother and the child.
Parents have also experienced school and learning themselves. As they watch their child take this first step, they may mentally project all the stages that lie ahead, connecting the moment to their own life journey and wondering whether they can provide their child with better future conditions.
As the new school year begins, this special Annahar dossier explores the changing face of education across Lebanon and the Arab world — from rising back-to-school costs and family pressures to artificial intelligence, technology, and children’s emotional well-being. What does it really take to be ready for school today? Read our special dossier:
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