Prepping for Preschool

Whether you’re ready or not, school is right around the corner and prepping your preschooler for their first day of preschool can be a daunting task.  Your child may feel both excited and nervous about starting preschool. Let’s try to ease your little one’s mixed feelings, with these tips:

 

Before School Starts

 

Go and visit the Preschool: Attend an orientation to familiarize your child with the environment, activities, and people. Take photos, meet the teachers and staff and tour the building.

 

Talk About Preschool: Talk about all the new and exiting things your child will do at preschool: meeting new friends and learning new things.

 

 

Easing Into It

 

Start Gradually: Many preschools allow parents to hang out for a while while their child acclimates. Try to coordinate with the teacher to create a plan and inform your child how long you’ll be there to avoid surprises.

 

Establish a Morning Routine: Routines help children feel secure. Create a consistent morning schedule, such as waking up, having breakfast, and packing a lunchbox. Using a visual chart can be helpful; some children learn/understand more by seeing what they can expect.

 

Have a Goodbye Routine: Develop a special way to say goodbye and help your child understand that you’ll be back to pick them up. Choose the same place or activity for this moment, and keep it brief to reduce stress for both of you.

 

 

Support Your Child in Their Preschool Era:

 

Keep Open Communication With Teachers: Positive interactions between parents and teachers boost children’s confidence. Share information about your child to help teachers respond appropriately; inform teachers about how the morning was, if your child had a good morning or a difficult one.

 

Be Responsive to Your Child: Recognize and praise your child’s accomplishments, such as meeting new people or trying new activities, to build their confidence.

 

 

What To Do When Your Child Is Worried About Preschool

 

Starting preschool can be exciting for your child. But anxiety and tiredness are common too – there’s so much for your child to get used to. You might notice that your child isn’t eating as much or wants to sleep more. Your child might even seem less happy than usual.

 

Your child might be worried about making/not making friends, not knowing what to expect or being separated from family. Your child might also worry about what you’ll be doing while they’re at preschool; will you be doing something special, and will your child be missing out?

 

 

Tips to handle worries about starting preschool

 

Let your child know what you’ll be doing while they’re at preschool. This can reassure your child that they’re not missing out, especially if you can save their favorite activities for when they’re with you.

 

Talk with your child about preschool routines. Ask the teacher if they can provide you a copy of their classroom routine to keep at home.

 

Ask the early childhood teacher whether your child can bring something they love from home, like a teddy bear, pillow or blanket. If the preschool allows this, these objects can help your child feel safer. You can gradually phase them out as your child feels more settled.

 

Talk to the teacher if your child gets upset when you leave. Teachers are experienced at helping children through separation and will have ideas to help you and your child.

 

Talk with the teacher about strategies to handle specific worries. For example, if your child is worried about food, you might be able to pack some familiar food. If using the toilets seems to be the problem, the teacher can help your child get used to them. Labelling your child’s things can help your child keep track of them.