These past few days, the gate of Bac Cuong Primary School ( Lao Cai City) has been bustling like a festival. The intersection in front of the school gate is packed with people and vehicles. However, there is no pushing, shoving, or incessant honking. Families bring their children to school calmly and enthusiastically. The school gate is brightly colored, with ceremonial teams lined up on both sides in neat uniforms, and colorful flags and flowers welcoming the new students.
After the summer break, the older students skipped to school, their faces beaming with joy. And there were the first-grade students, I guess, because their steps were still hesitant, their shoulders laden with small, pretty backpacks, their hands tightly gripping their parents' hands as if afraid that if they loosened their grip even slightly, their parents would "disappear." Some little ones hesitated even after their mothers had already started walking; some had red, teary eyes, their mouths pouting… It's understandable, because today was their first time entering a new environment.
To welcome the new students and create a joyful atmosphere for the start of the new school year, a special art program was presented to them. The applause was thunderous, the atmosphere was lively and cheerful. Suddenly, at the back of the line, a first-grade girl burst into tears: "Mommy… Where are you…?" Following her cry, many more children sobbed. Gently and kindly, the teachers approached the children and talked to them. It's unclear what the teachers said, but the children occasionally nodded and stopped crying.
Gently embracing and comforting a crying student, Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan Anh, Principal of Bac Cuong Primary School, shared: "First-grade students are like fledglings, still tender and vulnerable. Many are shy and accustomed to being pampered by their grandparents and parents; they will find the new school environment very unfamiliar, and some may even be afraid. At these times, just a kind and close teacher, sometimes a gentle hug, a pat on the head, or holding their hand and asking how they are, can help alleviate their feelings of unfamiliarity and give them more motivation to come to school."
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"On the first day of school, the teacher comforted and consoled them." (In the photo: Students of class 1A2, Bac Cuong Primary School, Lao Cai city, on their first day of school). |
I give my child all the love in the sky.
It's not just young children who feel anxious and scared; even parents are worried about their children's first steps in life. Ms. Nguyen Thi Phuong, whose child is in first grade at Bac Leinh Primary School (Lao Cai City), shared: "I still vividly remember the feelings of first grade – pride, excitement, but also a lot of anxiety. Therefore, I prepared my child psychologically beforehand, talking about the new school and classroom, and preparing the necessary supplies so that she could have the best possible start."
To inspire first-grade students and reassure parents, schools have meticulously planned the first week of school after the start of the academic year. Besides general activities such as games, arts and crafts, and marching drills, students are also taught life skills, discipline, and school and class rules to ensure a smoother start to the new school year.
This school year, teachers and students at Lo Su Thang Ethnic Boarding Primary and Secondary School (Muong Khuong) welcomed over 40 first-grade students with joy in their new school building. With love and care, the most beautiful and convenient classrooms were reserved for the school's "little birds." In the new classroom, teacher Nong Thi Thom is teaching the children their first letters. Their small, clumsy hands turn the pages, then awkwardly draw each letter. "Here, you must soften your hand, gently draw each letter, from top to bottom, from left to right...", Ms. Thom instructs each student. If a student holds the pen incorrectly or sits in the wrong posture, she corrects them. If a student's hand isn't soft enough or their pen strokes aren't precise, she guides their hand. Miraculously, from those clumsy, tender hands, horizontal strokes, straight strokes, reverse hooks, and double-ended hooks gradually appear on the page. Ms. Nong Thi Thom said: “Entering first grade, children are unfamiliar with their teachers, classmates, and especially the new environment. To help them feel confident and enthusiastic, teachers need to be attentive and approachable to understand the psychology and personality of each child, and then make appropriate adjustments in teaching and learning.”
During recess, the schoolyard resounds with music as the children join in group exercises, singing, and dancing. Lined neatly in the middle of the yard, the first-grade students follow along with their older classmates. Many are still unfamiliar with the routine and just stand there for a while. At this point, the teachers come to them to guide and demonstrate the exercises so the children can follow along…
This year, nearly 18,000 students across the province are entering first grade. Ms. Tran Thi Minh Thu, Head of the Primary Education Department of the Department of Education and Training, stated: "Our principle is to ensure that no six-year-old student is unable to attend school for any reason. Therefore, since the end of the previous school year, the work of surveying universal education, enrollment, and reviewing facilities to prepare for the new school year for all levels of education in general and first grade in particular has been carried out seriously. At the same time, we have done a good job of socializing education by providing scholarships, school supplies, books, clothes, etc., to support these children in attending school."
The school gates have opened, and the school bell is ringing loudly. Today, you take your first steps on the path to conquering knowledge with the care of the whole society, and tomorrow those "birds" will fly higher and further in the vast sky.
Source: http://laocai.edu.vn/chuyen-de-gddt/hom-nay-em-hoc-i-to-331673
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