Radio 1 presenter and Traitors star Minah Shannon has spoken about her fears as her daughter Luna prepares to start school, saying she feels like she is 'losing my best friend'.
She joined clinical psychologist Dr Martha Deiros Collado and the Manchester Evening News' Family Editor Emma Gill for a CBeebies Parenting podcast about children heading to class for the first time. The panel appeared with CBeebies Parenting Download hosts Katie Thistleton and Guvna B at Salford's MediaCity, where the podcast was filmed with a live audience of families and young children preparing for the milestone this September.
The episode is available on BBC Sounds from Saturday, August 22, and will also be available on iPlayer and the new CBeebies Parenting YouTube channel.
Parental anxieties and the 'hug button'
Minah opened up about feeling unprepared, revealing that while Luna is confident, excited and ready for the milestone, she herself is struggling. On her daughter's school taster day, Luna ran towards the school while Minah held back tears.
“I don’t know if this is a bit dramatic, but I feel like I’m about to go through a grieving process. Like I feel like I’m losing my best friend,” said Minah. “From when she was born until about six months ago, I was like, ‘school, school, school. Can’t wait, can’t wait. I’m so excited. Freedom!’ And now the closer it gets, the more anxious I personally feel.”
MEN Family Editor Emma Gill brought insight from families and teachers across Greater Manchester, noting that parents can heighten first day nerves. “Parents are worried about the emotional side of things for the children and for themselves,” she said. “From the teachers that I’ve spoken to, they’ll say it’s important for parents not to push their own anxieties onto the children.”
She also spoke of the 'hug button' idea, where parents draw hearts on their hands to act as a 'hug button' for themselves and their children. The heart is charged up by holding hands, and if a child misses their parent at school, they can press the 'button' to receive a 'hug'. Dr Martha shared a similar idea, saying it reminds children that, even when apart from their parent, they are still connected.
School readiness beyond academics
Dr Martha offered reassurance for parents worried about an emotional school-gate goodbye, explaining: “If they’re crying, it’s because they love you and they miss you. That’s a healthy, important thing. It doesn’t mean they’re coming to harm.”
The episode explores the emotional side of starting nursery or Reception, including first day nerves, saying goodbye at the school gate and the pressure some parents feel to ensure their child is academically prepared. The discussion also looks at everyday experiences that can help children feel more confident, including getting dressed, listening, taking turns, asking for help and talking about their feelings.
Dr Martha said: “School readiness is not about numbers and letters and, like, all the academic stuff. They’re going to do that at school, so don’t worry. One of the best skills you can give your little ones is being able to say to an adult ‘help me’, because you want your kid to be able to say that to a teacher.”
Emma spoke of the practical side of school, advising parents not to buy every item on the uniform or kit list. She added: “You get the list, don’t you, of things that you need, and a lot of it you’ll find over time that you don’t actually need at all. I’d wait and see what they definitely need first, rather than wasting money on things.”
CBeebies Get Ready for School campaign
The episode forms part of CBeebies Parenting’s wider Get Ready for School campaign, supporting families throughout August and into the first weeks of pre-school or Reception. The campaign brings together expert advice, practical activities, honest parent experiences and familiar CBeebies faces.
Kate Morton, senior head of commissioning for CBeebies, said: “Starting school or nursery is a big moment for the whole family, bringing plenty of excitement as well as some very understandable nerves. Through the CBeebies Get Ready for School campaign, we’re bringing together trusted expert advice, honest experiences from parents, practical activities and much-loved CBeebies characters to help families feel supported every step of the way. We want to reassure parents and carers that school readiness is not about working through a rigid checklist. It can be built through play, conversation, familiar routines and the small everyday moments families are already sharing together.”
As part of the campaign, CBeebies favourite Dodge appears in a Get Ready For School song for children and families, alongside Miss Hoolie from Balamory. The playful singalong encourages little ones to join in with routines that support communication, independence, social and emotional skills, physical development and healthy habits, from getting dressed and putting on their shoes to talking about their feelings and preparing to leave the house.
The CBeebies Get Ready for School podcast is available from Saturday, August 22, on BBC Sounds, iPlayer and the new CBeebies Parenting YouTube channel.
