How to Prepare Your Child for the First Day of Preschool

Going to preschool for the first time is a big step for any child. They are leaving the comfort and familiarity of home to go to an unfamiliar place with new people and new rues. I’ll give you some tips to make the transition easier.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Begin talking to your child about going to preschool months ahead of time. Say things like, “When you go to school you’ll get to meet a lot of new friends, or learn a lot of fun, new things.”

2. Drive past the school and point it out. Tell your child, “There’s where you get to go to school.”

3. Let your child pick out a fun new backpack for school. They will feel like a big boy or girl the first day of school with their new backpack. They probably won’t have much to put in their backpack but it’s a great place to keep a security object like a stuffed animal or a picture.

4. If the school has an open house make sure to go. Your child can meet their teacher and see their classroom. They’ll learn where to put their things and where the bathroom is. If there’s not an open house, call to see if you can stop in with your child.

5. Read books or watch videos about going to school with your child. This will help prepare them and is a great time to talk about school and answer any questions your child has.

6. Prepare a special first day of school breakfast. Make your preschooler feel special with a crown or balloons on their chair.

7. Since preschoolers usually can’t tell time, draw a picture of what the clock will look like when you will be back to pick them up. Separating is hard for some children and this will give them a little extra reassurance that you’ll be back.

8. When you drop your child off at school help the hang their coat up and find their teacher. Give them a hug and kiss and tell them to have fun and that you’ll be back when the clock is the same as the picture.

9. If they cry, reassure them and then leave. It will be hard but if you stay they will just learn that the more they cry, the longer you will stay. In most cases your child is fine once you leave, if you need to reassure yourself call and check.

10. Try not to be late picking your child up after school. Greet your child with a big hug. In no time school will be part of their routine.

[TeryLynne]

on 12/9/2008 Preschool is scary that is for sure. Great tips. 5*