If you've found yourself wondering how to prepare your child for the first day of school, you wouldn't be alone!

But it doesn't have to be a time of stress and anxiety. With a bit of preparation, planning, you and your child will be ready to start school with confidence, ease and excitement.

Here are a few strategies that you can use to prepare your child for starting school and making the first day a memorable experience – for all the right reasons!

Visit the school.

Before the first day of school comes around, find out if it runs an open day or tours of the buildings. If not, you can drive past with your child or even walk through the grounds after checking in with the administration office. This is a great way to get them excited about beginning their journey in a brand‑new place. To spark their imagination, why not get them to draw a picture of what they remember or what they are looking forward to most about their first day?

Meet the teacher.

Introducing your child to their teacher is a great way to make their transition from your care into someone else‘s much easier. If they know who they’ll be spending each school day with from the get‑go, they’re less likely to feel overwhelmed or upset. Beforehand, ask your child if they have any questions they’d like to ask their new teacher and encourage them to ask questions on their own.

Arrange some play dates.

Over the holidays, organise a play session or two with other children who will be starting at the same school. Seeing familiar faces and establishing some friendships ahead of time, will mean your child is less likely to feel alone and nervous on their first day.

Complete the school supplies checklist.

Instead of feeling overwhelmed the night before, prepare a few days in advance and tick off all the school supplies you'll need. These include things like a pencil case, crayons, erasers, a pencil sharpener and child‑safe scissors. Lunch essentials include things like a durable lunch box, plastic drink bottles with non‑drip caps, and food for packed lunches. And don't forget to label everything with your child's name!

Practice packing the schoolbag!

Before their first day of school, make sure your child knows how to put things into their school bag, or at least feel comfortable asking their teacher for help. Other ways you can improve your child's independence before starting school is by helping them practice putting on their shoes, eating and drinking without help, going to the toilet on their own and using a tissue to blow their nose.

Set a daily routine

Daily routines can help children understand what they need to do, when to do it each day and why it's important. To help prepare them for their first day of school, get them into a routine which includes going to bed early, waking up at a certain time with plenty of time to get ready, and eating a healthy breakfast each day. Also make sure you talk to them about what to expect. Remember to be flexible, as it may take some time for them to understand their new routine and adjust comfortably.

Try going through some essential learning skills with your child before their first day of school to help them feel confident.

Remember, practice makes perfect!