Preparing For Preschool
August 18, 2008 – 3:34 pm by Chrissy
The start of school can make even the bravest child turn into a bundle of nerves the night before their first class. With a few basic tips you can make the transition from summer to school days a piece of cake. By preparing your preschooler ahead of time, they can walk into school feeling cool and confident.
Be sure to go to the “Meet The Teacher Day”.
Give your child the ability to see, hear, smell, and touch the surroundings she will be in. By knowing in advance who their teacher is, where the bathroom is, and what the other children look like, you are giving them background knowledge to build off of for the first day.
Days before school starts discuss the pretty blue pillows in the reading center or the basket of puppets next to the window, and provide them with building blocks for activities once school starts.
Preschoolers have the ability to grasp a sense of time.
This means they know that they will be away from you for an extended time period. Discuss the day’s activities in advance. List off all the fun things the teacher told them about when you met.
- “Oh, what fun it will be to listen to stories on the blue rug!”
“Did you see the sandbox on the playground? Won’t you be able to build some great tunnels in that BIG box?”
“After storytime Mommy will be there to pick you up!”
By providing them with a timeline, they can keep track of the day and know when you will return.
Another tip on this topic– Send them wearing a locket with your picture in it, or keychain with a photo on her book bag. If they start to miss you they can take a quick peak and know you are thinking about them.
In the weeks prior to the start of school get into a routine.
Get up and ready just like you will on preschool days. Maybe take a quick trip past the school and point out something fun on the playground. Make it sound like the fun time it will be!! Once they begin to realize that this will just be another place to play, they will be even more excited when the fun begins.
Be sure to end the routine with a reasonable bedtime.
As the fun days of summer wind down, take a bath, read a book, and hit the sack. A well-rested child is far more likely to transition into a perky preschooler than a sleepy, summer sloth. Sleep really does make for a healthier and happier child! Go to www.scholastic.com for a great run down of typical preschool day.
And finally, there are lots of great story books designed to ease the fears of separation anxiety. Grab a few in the weeks before school starts and read them together. This will let them know that it will be ok! All of these fears are normal and to be expected, but by preparing before hand they can be made so minimal you may not even notice them at all!
Here are a few titles of books to share with your preschooler…Happy reading!!
- Will You Come Back for Me? By: Ann Tompert
D.W.’s Guide To Preschool By: Marc Brown
The Kissing Hand By: Audrey Penn
Will I Have A Friend? By: Miriam Cohen
18 Responses to “Preparing For Preschool”
Great info Chrissy!! You always have such great ideas!!
By Jill on Aug 19, 2008
What great ideas! The first days of school can be scary for little ones. Now, do you have any ideas to make us Mommies feel better
By Jo on Aug 19, 2008
Great ideas on making the transition from home to school easier on moms and kids!
By Lili on Aug 19, 2008
I didn’t think about the concept of time thing. They grow up so fast!!! Thanks for the tips!
By Paula on Aug 19, 2008
Chrissy - how did you know I missed Wesley’s meet the teacher???? Now you tell me I should have been there!!!
Lisa
By Lisa on Aug 19, 2008
Fortunately, I don’t have to cross this bridge for another year or so. But, with your tips, I will be better prepared. Thank you!
By Lenore on Aug 20, 2008
Chrissy,
Great ideas. I have a little while before mine actually starts preschool, but I know he will be prepared by trying your ideas. I agree routine and early bedtime is a must!
By Heather on Aug 20, 2008
Great information Chrissy - being a father this information is very usefull - I look forward to more informative info
By Mike L on Aug 20, 2008
Chrissy, these are some great ideas I will have to share with my daughter for the grandchildren. Thank you so much for your thoughts.
By Marci moore on Aug 20, 2008
I have a feeling most of the issues come more from the mom being nervous, not the child. At our “Meet the Teacher” meeting you could already pick out the children who going to have the most anxiety from the the questions their mothers asked. I do know that you are right and there should be much positive discussion about school well in advance of the first day of class. Thanks for your ideas.
By Dawn on Aug 20, 2008
Thanks Chrissy!! Will is starting this year and I love the storybook suggestions!!
By Allison on Aug 20, 2008
Thanks Chrissy! Willi is starting this year so I am crossing my fingers it goes well. I love the storybook suggestions.
By Allison on Aug 20, 2008
Great ideas Chrissy!! Getting into a routine a couple of weeks before they start is so important!! we get so busy in the summer we forget to do that even with the bigger kids. It really does make it so much easier for child and parent when the first day rolls around. Thanks for the reminder!!
By Donna on Aug 20, 2008
Oh my goodness! I have to do this again!!!! I never thought of that. YOU always have such wondeful ideas and good input for parents~!
By Buffy on Aug 21, 2008
I am already anxious about these days and my daughter is only 2! Thanks for your helpful hints!
By Joanna on Aug 24, 2008
Great ideas! I really like the idea of having a picture of mommy or daddy. There are a few kids in Eliza’s class that cry and watch the door for mommy. I will tell the parents about the keychain photo!
By Jeannie on Aug 25, 2008
Meet the Teacher is also a wonderful opportunity to Meet the Mommies. Introduce yourself, create a network and all go out for coffee on a designated day to give each other ideas on how to get back into adult mode. Chances are there are a few moms on the same worry boat as you. Embrace your newly refound freedom, if not for just a few hours!
By leslie on Aug 29, 2008