How to Drop Your Toddler Off at Preschool Without Tears
Your toddler's first day of preschool might be harder for you than it is for her. Dropping off your baby and leaving her there can be difficult, even for moms and dads who have sent their child to daycare. Starting preschool seems to mark the beginning of your child growing up and no longer being a baby. Fortunately, there are ways to make the transition easier on her -- and on you! -- and have no tears while doing so.
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Instructions
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Talk to your child about going to preschool and how much fun it will be. Discuss the other kids that will be in the classroom, and talk to your child about her teacher and the different things she will be learning. Making school seem enjoyable and fun, rather than boring, will help your child to look forward to going there on a regular basis.
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Visit the classroom prior to your child's first day, if possible. Let your child explore the room, and show her where her seat and storage cube are if the teacher has them labeled. Your child will likely feel more comfortable being dropped off at a place she has visited already rather than someplace new and strange.
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Allow your child to ask questions about school, when you will pick her up and what the daily routine will consist of. Asking questions might be her way of obtaining a level of comfort with this new venture in her life. Be patient with your child and allow some tears prior to the first day. This way it is less likely your child will cry when the first day comes.
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Keep your own emotions in check and be a role model for your toddler. Young children are natural mimics and can also pick up on the feelings of others rather quickly. Crying and being upset that your child is growing up and attending preschool will only serve to make her apprehensive about the big day. Smile and talk about the wonders of school; save your tears for when your toddler has walked through the doors of the preschool.
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Perform a dry run of the drop-off prior to the first day of school. Get up and get ready as if you were going to drop your child off at preschool. Talk to your child about the morning routine and where you will be going. Drive your child to the school and let her know this is where she will be dropped off on the first day. It is best to do this only a few days in advance so your child can retain the memory of going to school.
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Tips & Warnings
Be patient with your child and do not scold her if she cries. Crying is a way of communicating for young children, and your child is letting you know she is not quite comfortable with the situation yet.
Consider occasionally hiring a baby sitter or allowing your child to sleep at her grandparents' house if you are a stay-at-home mom. This will help your child acclimate to new people and surroundings, which may be difficult at first.
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