How to Prepare Your Child for Preschool

School is starting soon (or has started) and many are getting ready to send a preschool aged child to preschool for the first time. There are things you can do to make this transition an easy one.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Talk to your child about preschool a couple of weeks before it starts. Telling him how much fun it will be is a good way to start. Allow your child to share any concerns he may have about going to preschool and try to reassure him that it really will be a fun time.

2. Tour the preschool with your child the week before class begins. Introduce her to the teacher and show her around the classroom. This will help your child feel even more prepared for the big first day.

3. Throw a preschool party the morning preschool starts. Take your child out for breakfast or prepare something special at home for him to eat. Explain that you are throwing a preschool party for the first day because going to preschool is a big deal and lots of fun.

4. Take your child to school the first day and walk her in. If the teacher is okay with it, you may wait awhile to see if your child gets settled in. If she begins to cry, many times it is best to just leave and allow the teacher to comfort her. Preschool teachers are used to crying children and your child will be okay.

Tips & Warnings

• It may take some time to transition your child into a preschool class, especially if he is used to being home with you. Just be patient, most children adjust to school within a week or two.