How to Help Your Child Get Adjusted to Preschool Before the First Day

Are you ready for the new school year? New to preschool? You can start preparing your child the right way before the big day!

The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) gives the following recommendations for preschool parents and guardians before starting:

• Visit your local library during a read-aloud time so your child gets used to hearing someone other than Mom, Dad, or Grandpa read aloud book in a group setting.
• Establish a routine of “early to bed” and “school wake-up time” several weeks before school begins so your child has time to adjust to the new schedule.
• Find out about the toileting procedures at the new school or center so you can review the situation with your child and make sure she is comfortable.
• Arrange play dates with children who will be in your child’s class. Usually moms or dads go along on these early play dates.  Ask the teacher or school for a list of children who will be in your child’s class.
• If there’s a home visit or school visiting day, make sure you and your child participate. If you aren’t able to participate, call the school to arrange for a visit to the school and to meet your child’s teacher.
• Make a book at home about the new preschool experience your child is about to begin. Perhaps take photos of the school or of your child in front of school and add text like: “This is Sammy at school. This is her favorite t-shirt. This is Mommy picking up Sammy when school is over.”
• Let your child pick out a new backpack and together write her name on it.
• Tell stories about when you went to school and share how you felt about it. Find childhood pictures of yourself and other adults in your child’s life and talk about the photos.
• If your child has never before been cared for by someone else, start to leave her for short periods of time with friends or relatives.
• Reinforce the fact that you will return and that she is safe with others.
• Give your child a personal belonging of yours like a favorite scarf or bandanna so she knows you will come back to get it.

Do you want to know more? The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) also recommends reading these books:

The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn
David Goes to School by David Shannon
Will I Have a Friend? by Miriam Cohen
First Day of School by Anne Rockwell
When I Miss You by Cornelia Maude Spelman
Take a Kiss to School by Angela McAllister
It’s Time for Preschool by Esme Raj Codell
A Pocketful of Kisses by Audrey Penn

You might be feeling a mixture of pride, excitement, loss and anxiety as your child becomes more independent, particularly if you’re doing this for the first or last time. On the other hand, your child is probably feeling excited as well as a bit nervous about starting preschool.

It’s going to be an exciting journey. Don’t worry, at TLC we’ll help you along the way!