You've dreamed about this day and it has finally arrived; your child is going to preschool. You're excited for your child, however, you feel sad that they will be out of your care for a few hours a day. Both you and your child are scared and excited. Here are a few tips to get you and your child off to a smooth start.
First, be sure to talk to your child about preschool weeks in advance. Be sure to explain what school is and the type of activities that they will do there. Be sure to highlight any activities that your child favors. For example, if you have a little music lover, tell them about the songs that they will sing. Be sure to also read relevant stories to them about going to school.
Another sure way to prepare your child for preschool is to attend orientation. Get an outline from your child's teacher for an idea of what your child's day will be like. When you get home, role play with child by actually doing these activities. You could invite other preschoolers over and have a pretend school with finger painting, circle time and other school related activities. Visit the school a few more consecutive days after the orientation. By getting your child more familiar with the school, they will not feel as uneasy on the first day.
When the day arrives, be sure to get your child off to a healthy start. Make your child's favorite breakfast. Be sure that your child is well rested and ready for the day. This way, he or she won't be cranky. Make sure your child has used the restroom before leaving the house. This will decrease the chance of your child having an accident at school. When you arrive at the school, your child may fit right in or he or she may want to hang out with you a little longer. Be patient and consistent with your child. Assure them that everything will be o.k. Mention some of the fun activities that they will do during the day. Be sure to also mention fun activities that they can enjoy after school.
Continue encouraging your child to go to school. When they arrive home, give them lots of hugs and kisses. Be sure to ask them about their day. More than likely, the things that the child mentions are things that they enjoyed. Be sure to reinforce these activities at home., this way the lessons will be easier for your child at school. Don't feel bad if your child cries, remember that before long, they will begin enjoying school.
