Flexischools parents share: Top tips for children starting school
We recently asked Flexischools parents to share their best tips to support families as they transition to ‘big school’.
We were inundated with great tips, however have chosen our top 5, each of whom will receive $50 for their Flexischools wallet! You can read the terms and conditions here.
Thanks for your wonderful suggestions!
1. Alexis B | High‑Five, Low‑Five, Buffalo
“We do High-Five, Low-Five, Buffalo!
High-Five: The best part of the day.
Low-Five: Something that was tricky or sad.
Buffalo: Something totally random, funny, or weird that happened.”
2. Sophie P | The “First 10 Minutes” Connection Ritual
"When children start school, everyone focuses on lunchboxes, uniforms and labels in shoes. But the biggest shift isn’t organisational‚ it’s emotional. For many children, school is their first big step into the world without you.
My tip is simple: protect the first 10 minutes after school.
Before unpacking bags, checking homework, or asking a stream of questions, create a small daily ritual. Sit together for ten uninterrupted minutes. No phones. No multitasking. Just connection.
You might:
Share ‘one good thing, one tricky thing‚’ from the day.
Have a snack together and let them talk at their own pace.
Go for a slow walk around the block.
Snuggle up and read one short book.
Those first ten minutes help children decompress and feel safe enough to process their day. Often, the most important things come out sideways‚ while drawing, munching an apple, or staring at the ceiling.
This ritual does two powerful things:
It reassures your child that school may expand their world, but it doesn’t shrink their place in yours.
It builds a habit of open communication from the very beginning. In a season full of new routines, this is the one that matters most."
3. Natasha S | One Friend Is Enough
“Remind them: “You don’t need lots of friends. One kind friend is perfect.” This lowers social pressure massively.”
4. Laura S | Kids Borrow Our Calm
“Talk positively about school and keep goodbyes short and confident. Kids borrow our calm: if you believe they’ve got this, they usually do!”
5. Karllee F | Just Be Yourself
“Be kind, ask questions, be yourself, and have fun learning new things and don’t be afraid to try even when it feels a bit scary at first.”