Date:30/05/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/05/30/stories/2006053018670200.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

A new place to learn about new things

Staff Reporter

Many schools in Bangalore will reopen on Thursday after the summer vacation

SCHOOLS TO REOPEN: A nursery student on the first day of school in Bangalore. A FILE PHOTO

BANGALORE: Many schools in Bangalore will reopen on Thursday (some resumed classes on May 22) after the summer vacation. For those parents, whose children begin their formal education, the first day is always painful. Although many parents motivate their children and mentally prepare them to attend school, still they undergo strange feelings on the first day.

"I am bit worried," says N.S. Chandran, whose daughter is admitted to lower kindergarten. He is anxious because a few years ago, his son had cried on the first day of school. "This time, I will not look back after I leave my daughter with her class teacher. I will straightaway head to my office," he says.

Many schools either conduct orientation classes for parents or provide information during admissions on how to train their children and prepare them to attend school. "Parents must tell only positive things about school. A child should be made known that he would have new friends and new toys to play with at the school. The cooperation of parents is vital to make children comfortable in school. However, some parents expect miracles to happen on the first day. They must understand that a child needs time to adapt to the new environment," says Sunitha Rajesh of Podar Jumbo Kids.

A well-groomed, toilet-trained and mentally prepared child too creates a scene on the first day, say some parents. "I started talking to my son two weeks before the school opened and had told him nice things about it. However, on the first day he cried because all other children were crying," says Mahendra Pirgal, a parent.

A teacher says that they are trained to handle these situations. "A child weeps only because he feels insecure and when he is need of attention. We are equipped with right kind of inputs to handle these situations. We try to involve children in one activity or the other so that he or she comes out of negative emotions," she says.

Teachers conduct age-appropriate activities to ensure that the child enjoys them. "Have trust in the teachers to deal with your child. As a parent, if you are anxious, wait outside the school. A teacher may need your help only if the situation goes out of control," says Ms. Rajesh. Many schools work only a few hours till the children get used to the school atmosphere. Some schools allow parents to sit with their wards for a few days.