It's scary for many adults when you first send your child to kindergarten. You worry that they'll struggle to fit in, misbehave, or miss home so much that the experience will torture them. While there's not much you can do about the stress you'll feel, you should know that most children adapt quickly, and before you know it, it will feel completely normal to you both that they go to school.

Did They Go to Preschool?

Your child will likely react differently when going to kindergarten if they've already been to preschool or a similar program. Kindergarten won't be as much of a shock if they're used to going somewhere daily to learn and be around other children while following a teacher's lead. However, if your child has never attended preschool, daycare, headstart, etc., they may struggle a little when they start kindergarten.

A Bad First Reaction

It is possible that your child will have a bad reaction when they first start kindergarten, as the experience is brand new to them, and they have fears and anxieties about what to expect. Some children will cry on their first day—or first few days—because they miss home or really hate being in a school setting. Luckily, most kids adjust even if they have a rough start, so give your child some time to get used to kindergarten.

A Good First Reaction

If you're lucky, your child might be good at adapting to new situations and have no trouble when they start kindergarten. They might enjoy the new environment, being around other kids, the games, etc. It's usually the children who've already attended preschool who adapt the best, but some kids just naturally thrive in new places.  

Getting into a Groove

Regardless of how your child first reacts to being in kindergarten, most kids will eventually get into a groove after a week or so—and even more so after a few months. Like when you weaned them off of their bottle, started potty training them, etc., they just get used to changes after a while, and the new things start feeling familiar and ordinary. 

Meeting Friends

Once your child is in a groove and kindergarten doesn't feel so foreign and scary, you'll start hearing them talk about the new friends they've met. It's a great moment for parents to hear that their child is socializing and has met new friends because it means you don't have to worry about them feeling alone anymore.

For more information, contact a kindergarten dear you.