Back to School - Terrifying or Exciting?

Thousands of Jo'burg pupils return to school today! The excitement in the air is almost tangible and for me it brings back many memories of when I started a new grade with a new teacher and new classmates. I remember looking my best in my new school uniform and shiny school shoes; and who can ever forget that amazing feeling of pulling out a new space case packed with new stationery. Back to school for me was an exciting time, but I must admit I am a naturally confident person so I actually thrived on all the changes. I do however remember a young boy in grade 3 who arrived to school absolutely petrified; he clung onto his Mum and would not even look at the teacher. One would think that he'd be okay the next day,right? Wrong, he came to school for the next 3 weeks balling his eyes out, his poor mother had to try and be hard on him and force him into class; but every morning was a new battle. His experience of going back to school must have been very different to mine and I always wondered what could have possibly caused him to react to school in that way.
 Since opening the Academy 5 years ago I now completely understand why he was this way. Many shy and self-conscious students walk into my classroom, some crying just like my peer in grade 3...how do we 'fix' this? Well its definitely a slow process but with the right encouragement and safe environment amazing things can happen to a child's confidence. The Helen O'Grady Drama Academy is a wonderfully structured program that aims to develop children's confidence, speech skills and make them believe that they are just as important as everyone else. Self-worth is so important and the ability to communicate your own views is what helps us progress in life. Looking back on my grade 3 peer he was probably terrified of change, new peers, new teacher and a new classroom (that is a big deal for a grade 3). As Parents, Teachers, Principals we need to keep in mind that we can affect the way a child sees the world - its a scary place for us, imagine how scary it is for them. So today when your child comes home congratulate them on getting through their first day at school, after all every little step counts!