The first day of preschool may seem far away, but now is the time for you to start planning how to prepare your student for their first day. Whether you send your child to public or Catholic Pre-K classes, there is a lot for them to get used to – a new environment, a new caregiver and new classmates.
Start talking with your child about public or Catholic preschools a few months before their first day. Together, you can read children’s books about preschool and how to handle anxiety. After you have finished reading, talk about how the stories made your child feel. Listen to their feelings and address any concerns they may have through calm, reassuring words. It is important for you to remain positive whenever you talk about the preschool experience. Children learn a lot from their parents and if you are anxious or upset about sending them to school for the first time, they will likely respond the same way. Talk about how fun it will be to meet new friends and new teachers as well as learn new things.
Consider taking your child to visit the preschool before they begin class. These small visits will help your little one become acquainted with the new surroundings a little bit at a time. When it is time for them to spend the full school day, they will not be in a completely unfamiliar place for an extended period of time. Your child will also get a chance to meet their new teacher and other children. Do not worry if your child is not responding to the teacher or other students as well as you would like during the first few visits, soon preschool will become part of the routine and they will be happy to see their new friends. These small visits will go a long way to making your child comfortable with the new surroundings and making them comfortable with the idea of spending time at preschool.
A couple of months before the first day, try to help your child find a normal sleep schedule. A regular bedtime gives children a sense of security and enforcing this bedtime well before the first day of preschool makes it part of the routine instead of an additional change. Children in preschool and grade school need between 10 and 12 hours of sleep a night. The best way to decide on a bedtime is to time how long it takes you and your child to get ready in the morning. Make sure this test run is calm and unhurried. After you have decided how long it takes to get ready, set a wake up time and count 10 to 12 hours back from that time – you have found the best bedtime!
In the few weeks leading up to the first day of preschool, spend time with your child before they go to bed. You can sing, read or just talk with them. This dependable alone time will make separation easier on your child, because they know there will always be some one-on-one time at the end of the day.
On the night before the first class, help your child choose a special outfit and, if the school allows, a small toy to bring along to class. Always check with the school before sending a toy or other item with your child. If toys are not allowed, give them a tiny picture to look at throughout the day.
The big day has finally arrived! Make sure the morning is not hurried or stressful before you take your child to school. Even if you are anxious or upset about dropping them off for the first time, try not to let it show. Children will pick up on your feelings and experience the same anxiety. Before you leave the preschool, assure your child that you will return at a specific time, help them become interested in an activity and leave. Don’t linger or put unnecessary strain on the child. If you little one is experiencing anxiety about your departure, give them a big hug and remind them you will be back. If the resistance is persistent, you can ask the teacher for a hand in reassuring your child.
A pattern of anxiety is normal for the first week or two. Try not to react with frustration or anger and remember this is a big change for your child. If the resistance persists, it’s time to step in or else a tantrum may just become a morning routine. Start by speaking with the teacher to find out whether your child persists in crying after you leave. Sometimes a parent’s departure is not the problem and the child will cease crying when the parent has left the preschool. If this is the case, consider asking a spouse or family member to drop off your child for the next few days. The change in routine may be enough to help them calm down.
Don’t forget to ask your child about their day when they come home. They will be learning new and interesting things everyday and now is the time to establish your encouragement of their education. Positive reinforcement of school early on is an easy step to developing a life-long love of learning.
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