{"id":1431,"date":"2024-07-30T11:09:51","date_gmt":"2024-07-30T11:09:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kiindred.co\/product\/brand-post\/you-will-become-a-master-of-stain-removal-and-5-other-things-you-will-learn-once-your-little-one-starts-school\/"},"modified":"2025-04-17T08:30:54","modified_gmt":"2025-04-17T08:30:54","slug":"you-will-become-a-master-of-stain-removal-and-5-other-things-you-will-learn-once-your-little-one-starts-school","status":"publish","type":"brand-post","link":"https:\/\/kiindred.co\/product\/shoes-sox\/you-will-become-a-master-of-stain-removal-and-5-other-things-you-will-learn-once-your-little-one-starts-school\/","title":{"rendered":"You will become a master of stain removal. And 5 other things you will learn once your little one starts school."},"content":{"rendered":"

Can they write their name? Can they open and close their lunch box? Can they put their own (velcro) shoes on? These are generally the most obvious things that come to mind when you are preparing your little one for school.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":1456,"template":"","brand-taxonomy":[159],"product-taxonomy":[316],"class_list":["post-1431","brand-post","type-brand-post","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","brand-taxonomy-shoes-sox","product-taxonomy-development"],"acf":{"main_page_content":[{"acf_fc_layout":"without_sidebar_layout","section_content_here":"

It\u2019s such a huge and exciting milestone, and you\u2019ll be questioning yourself more than once about if they are truly ready\u2026 because it was only just yesterday that they were in pull ups. And how on earth are they going to manage carrying that huge backpack with the weight of their lunch box, water bottle, library books and jumpers? Although it\u2019s a pretty cute sight watching them try.<\/p>\n

As the saying goes, some things are best learnt on the job\u2026 and the same can be said for that first year of big school. Each child is different of course and while some will burst through those gates without looking back, others will be clinging to the leg of a parent and need a little extra encouragement to take those first little steps through that big gate. It might take you a little longer at drop off if that\u2019s you, but they will get there with time!<\/p>\n

I am all for soaking up practical advice and sharing it with others, especially when it comes to the kind of stuff that can push you over the edge when you are busy navigating school routines and a full-time job (or is that just me?!)<\/p>\n

So here I am playing my part, as a mum who has now (somewhat) successfully survived 2 out of 3 kids starting school.<\/p>\n","select_product_all_section":"","add_quote_content_section":"","add_jw_video_shortcode_here":"","turn_off_sign_up_section":true,"turn_off_parent_with_confidence_section":true,"turn_off_review_section":true,"turn_off_hey_parents_section":true,"turn_off_third_left_banner_section":true,"turn_off_products_you_love_section":true,"turn_off_win_game_section":true,"turn_off_win_a_gift_voucher_section":true,"hide_and_show_button":"A"},{"acf_fc_layout":"first_layout","section_title_here":"1.\u00a0Dirty socks, dirty shoes, dirty face. So much dirt.\u00a0","section_sidebar_title_here":"","section_content_here":"

Look this might not come as a total surprise because let\u2019s face it, kids love to get dirty. But whoever decided that white socks and\/or shirts were a good idea for a school uniform, obviously wasn\u2019t the parent who was stuck in the laundry soaking clothes at midnight. And if you are lucky enough to not have white as part of the uniform, you are still likely getting out the stain remover anyway. These small people seem to be a magnet for anything that stains. That collection of rocks in their bag? It was a solid digging effort!<\/p>\n

So get yourself into a washing routine that allows extra time for soaking and better yet, have enough shirts and socks to get you through the week if you can. Having a Monday to Friday uniform kit (even if it was part hand-me-downs) was my saving grace!<\/p>\n

\"svg%3E\"<\/figure>\n","select_product_all_section":"","add_quote_content_section":"","add_jw_video_shortcode_here":"","add_instagram_embed_code":"","add_pinterest_embed_code":"","add_youtube_embed_code":"","turn_off_sign_up_section":true,"turn_off_parent_with_confidence_section":true,"turn_off_review_section":true,"turn_off_hey_parents_section":true,"turn_off_third_left_banner_section":true,"turn_off_products_you_love_section":true,"turn_off_win_game_section":true,"turn_off_win_a_gift_voucher_section":true,"hide_and_show_button":"A"},{"acf_fc_layout":"first_layout","section_title_here":"2.\u00a0Label everything. Buy extra!","section_sidebar_title_here":"","section_content_here":"

You can bet your bottom dollar that regardless of how well trained your child is, you will end up walking around the school grounds on the hunt for lunch boxes, water bottles and hats more than once. How on earth can one child lose so many things in a day?<\/p>\n

Kindy is a huge year for our little ones, with new routines, new friends and lots of learning. So they are guaranteed to forget to pack away their things from time to time \u2013 or for some, every day in that first year! Be sure to label everything and be prepared to search those lost property bins, as disgusting as they are! And when all else fails? Make sure you have lunch boxes, water bottles and hats aplenty. Before you know it they will have (mostly) outgrown this but it certainly doesn\u2019t hurt being super prepared. Especially when it comes to school hats because for most schools it is \u2018no hat no play\u2019 and we don\u2019t want them missing out on that precious outdoor time!<\/p>\n","select_product_all_section":"","add_quote_content_section":"","add_jw_video_shortcode_here":"","add_instagram_embed_code":"","add_pinterest_embed_code":"","add_youtube_embed_code":"","turn_off_sign_up_section":true,"turn_off_parent_with_confidence_section":true,"turn_off_review_section":true,"turn_off_hey_parents_section":true,"turn_off_third_left_banner_section":true,"turn_off_products_you_love_section":true,"turn_off_win_game_section":true,"turn_off_win_a_gift_voucher_section":true,"hide_and_show_button":"A"},{"acf_fc_layout":"first_layout","section_title_here":"3.\u00a0Making new parent friends + Playdates","section_sidebar_title_here":"","section_content_here":"

It\u2019s kind of weird having to put yourself out of your comfort zone to new friends when your little one starts school. You will be so caught up worrying how they will go about finding their people or if they will have any little friends in their class. Whether or not you knew other parents beforehand, birthdays and playdates with their class will put you in front of an entire new group of people. You will really need to put yourself out there and make an effort when it comes to these things, because the kids whose parents get involved, generally stay together.<\/p>\n

A wise second-time school mum once told me, that even if I have to bring my laptop and a bottle of wine stashed in my bag to the park on a Friday afternoon, do it. These playdates really do help your little one with building friendships\u2026and you will benefit from it too!<\/p>\n

Oh, and don\u2019t be too shocked if your little one comes home and tells you they \u2018didn\u2019t play with anyone\u2019 because apparently our little kindy kids have a habit of that. If you are worried though, be sure to check in with their teacher to ask how they are going socially. Building social skills really is one of the most important things for them to be building at this age but it takes time.<\/p>\n","select_product_all_section":"","add_quote_content_section":"","add_jw_video_shortcode_here":"","add_instagram_embed_code":"","add_pinterest_embed_code":"","add_youtube_embed_code":"","turn_off_sign_up_section":true,"turn_off_parent_with_confidence_section":true,"turn_off_review_section":true,"turn_off_hey_parents_section":true,"turn_off_third_left_banner_section":true,"turn_off_products_you_love_section":true,"turn_off_win_game_section":true,"turn_off_win_a_gift_voucher_section":true,"hide_and_show_button":"A"},{"acf_fc_layout":"first_layout","section_title_here":"4.\u00a0When is comes to school shoes, you generally get what you pay for","section_sidebar_title_here":"","section_content_here":"

Your little one will be spending 1,400 hours running, jumping and commuting in their school shoes which is generally a lot more than their usual daily treks to the playground. Whilst you might be tempted to go el-cheapo because you\u2019ve heard they wear them out quickly, it\u2019s actually quite the opposite. Investing in\u00a0good quality school shoes<\/a>\u00a0available at quality stores like\u00a0Shoes & Sox<\/a>\u00a0will ensure that they last the distance, or at least until they have outgrown them. And be sure not to make the same mistake as me and not get the right size. My little one was tripping over before I realised that I hadn\u2019t left enough space for growth! Having your little one\u2019s school shoes\u00a0professionally fit\u00a0will ensure they are right for them. I highly recommend you\u00a0make a booking with The Fit Squad<\/a>\u00a0at Shoes & Sox to get expertly fit and they can recommend the\u00a0 right style of shoes.<\/p>\n

Remember, their little feet are still developing and growing at this age and they will be more active than ever. So it\u2019s super important to ensure they have well fitting shoes so they don\u2019t end up with sore legs and feet by the end of a big school day.<\/p>\n

Also, don\u2019t forget if you are in NSW you can use your\u00a0Back to School vouchers\u00a0for school shoes!<\/p>\n","select_product_all_section":"","add_quote_content_section":"","add_jw_video_shortcode_here":"","add_instagram_embed_code":"","add_pinterest_embed_code":"","add_youtube_embed_code":"","turn_off_sign_up_section":true,"turn_off_parent_with_confidence_section":true,"turn_off_review_section":true,"turn_off_hey_parents_section":true,"turn_off_third_left_banner_section":true,"turn_off_products_you_love_section":true,"turn_off_win_game_section":true,"turn_off_win_a_gift_voucher_section":true,"hide_and_show_button":"A"},{"acf_fc_layout":"first_layout","section_title_here":"5.\u00a0Get involved in the class whatsapp group.","section_sidebar_title_here":"","section_content_here":"

Or whichever app, social platform or tool your class decides to connect on. I truly don\u2019t think I would have survived the first year of kindy if it wasn\u2019t for the second time mum who put her hand up to be the class parent. Because navigating the new routines, readers, newsletters and permission slips was confusing enough!<\/p>\n

You will generally find there are those amazing parents who have it all together (thank you, you are so appreciated) and then there are the others that can\u2019t be at the school gate to pick up their kids, miss the memos and end up sending their child to school in uniform on mufti day (twice) \u2013 or was that just me again?<\/p>\n","select_product_all_section":"","add_quote_content_section":"","add_jw_video_shortcode_here":"","add_instagram_embed_code":"","add_pinterest_embed_code":"","add_youtube_embed_code":"","turn_off_sign_up_section":true,"turn_off_parent_with_confidence_section":true,"turn_off_review_section":true,"turn_off_hey_parents_section":true,"turn_off_third_left_banner_section":true,"turn_off_products_you_love_section":true,"turn_off_win_game_section":true,"turn_off_win_a_gift_voucher_section":true,"hide_and_show_button":"A"},{"acf_fc_layout":"first_layout","section_title_here":"6.\u00a0Don\u2019t overschedule your kid, especially during the first year.","section_sidebar_title_here":"","section_content_here":"

I get it, you want your little one to get involved in everything. From soccer or ballet to piano lessons and weekly playdates. That first year of school will open up soooo many opportunities for your little one to get involved in. But let\u2019s not forget that the first year of school is going to be huge. They will get tired and cranky and will generally have a meltdown (or ten) by the time it comes to Friday. So be mindful of how you schedule their time to allow for some extra downtime at the end of the busy school week. They will need you to be there as a support while they are navigating through all of their \u2018firsts\u2019 at school.<\/p>\n","select_product_all_section":"","add_quote_content_section":"","add_jw_video_shortcode_here":"","add_instagram_embed_code":"","add_pinterest_embed_code":"","add_youtube_embed_code":"","turn_off_sign_up_section":true,"turn_off_parent_with_confidence_section":true,"turn_off_review_section":true,"turn_off_hey_parents_section":true,"turn_off_third_left_banner_section":true,"turn_off_products_you_love_section":true,"turn_off_win_game_section":true,"turn_off_win_a_gift_voucher_section":true,"hide_and_show_button":"A"},{"acf_fc_layout":"first_layout","section_title_here":"And finally\u2026","section_sidebar_title_here":"","section_content_here":"

The first year of school can be an interesting time for both parent and child. Before you know it, you will be wondering where the year went and will be surprised at just how transformative that first year of school is. They will not just look so much bigger physically, but they will be reading, writing, socialising and maybe even become a little extra cheeky! You will be amazed to see that big kid before your eyes and for some, want to press pause for a while.<\/p>\n

\"svg%3E\"<\/figure>\n

Ps.\u00a0 Don\u2019t forget to take that first day snap so you can compare it to their final day of kindy. It\u2019s pretty crazy to think just how much they can change in one year.<\/p>\n","select_product_all_section":"","add_quote_content_section":"","add_jw_video_shortcode_here":"","add_instagram_embed_code":"","add_pinterest_embed_code":"","add_youtube_embed_code":"","turn_off_sign_up_section":true,"turn_off_parent_with_confidence_section":true,"turn_off_review_section":true,"turn_off_hey_parents_section":true,"turn_off_third_left_banner_section":true,"turn_off_products_you_love_section":true,"turn_off_win_game_section":true,"turn_off_win_a_gift_voucher_section":true,"hide_and_show_button":"A"}],"add_quote_content":"","hide_and_show_button_for_quote":"A","select_single_post_here":"","hide_and_show_button_for_single_post":"A","select_two_post_here":"","hide_and_show_button_for_two_post":"A","select_more_on_section_category":false,"select_top_pick_section_mobile":[{"add_content_here":"Top Pick Top Pick","select_post_here":false}],"social_section_content":false,"add_instagram_embed_code":"