This post is about 8 things you can do to prepare your child for a successful preschool experience.
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The day has finally arrived – your little one is about to embark on his/her first day of preschool! This exciting milestone is filled with anticipation, but it can also be overwhelming for both parents and children.
The first day of preschool is probably going to be an emotion-filled day for both of you, even if your child has spent time in childcare prior. It’s likely to be a morning filled with smiles, pride, tears, and snot- for both of you. Or any combination of the above.
Preschool is a crucial stage in a child’s development, as it lays the foundation for their academic, social, and emotional growth. To ensure a smooth transition and a positive experience, here are some essential tips to help you get your child ready for the first day of preschool.
Visit the Preschool
Before preschool starts, arrange a visit to the preschool with your child. Most schools offer an Orientation for kids and parents. Let them explore the environment, meet their future teachers, and play with potential classmates.
Do this even if your child has an older sibling who attended and knows the school.
Familiarizing them with the surroundings will help alleviate anxiety and create a sense of excitement about attending preschool.
Pro tip: check out the playground while you’re there. That’s bound to be a favorite spot for your kiddo once he/she starts school.
Establish a Consistent Routine
Consistency is key when it comes to preparing your child for preschool. Before preschool starts, gradually introduce a daily routine that mirrors what they’ll experience later on.
Set regular wake-up and bedtime schedules, meal/snack times, and playtime activities. This will help them adjust to the structured environment of preschool.
Summer in my house is a free for all. My kids are rogue. The rules are limited. The goal is fun. It’s a much-needed departure from the scheduled life we live during the school year.
But in the weeks before school starts, we slowly begin to establish a consistent routine. Transitioning the feral beach bums to kids who look like they know how to be civilized takes time and patience.
It’s not easy. Do it anyway. You’ll be glad you did when your child transitions to the new schedule more easily and wakes up ready for the first day of preschool.
Teach Your Child to Communicate Their Needs
This is a big one.
As parents, we can anticipate our kids’ needs. We know their non-verbal cues. We know the look on their faces when they have to use the bathroom or need to rest.
We know when they’re hangry or need a drink.
Your child’s teacher does not know any of this. Read that again. Teach your child now to verbalize their needs, before the first day of preschool.
Kissy and Starlie had no trouble telling anyone who would listen, what was on their minds. Nugget and Salt were quieter. They were more hesitant to speak up.
Even chatty, outgoing kids forget to communicate their needs to adults. They’re engaged and having fun. They also know that their parents anticipate their needs and guide them.
Your child’s teacher doesn’t know that your tiny human overheats quickly and needs to shed a layer. He or she doesn’t know that look on your child’s face that means they need to use the potty NOW.
Whichever kind of child you have, quiet or chatty, practice teaching your child to communicate their needs verbally. Start now, long before preschool starts.
That might be hard for you. We instinctively know what needs to happen. We want to jump in and solve the problem. It’s time to teach your preschooler to advocate for herself and communicate. It’s a life skill. You’ll be glad you did.
Before preschool starts, practice taking a step back and encourage your child to verbalize his needs.
Encourage Independence
Preschool encourages children to become more independent. You can help your child foster these skills at home before preschool starts.
Help your child build essential skills, such as dressing themselves, using the restroom independently, and cleaning up after playtime.
Encouraging independence will boost their confidence and make the transition to preschool smoother.
As a mom of four, teaching independence in the chaos kingdom was essential. Having my kids meet their own needs like putting on coats and shoes to go outside, or dressing themselves was necessary.
When you have four kids under age 5, sometimes it’s survival of the fittest. If my kids wanted to go somewhere, they learned quickly that their completion of tasks would make that happen sooner than later.
Not only did completing simple tasks make my kids feel accomplished, it freed me up to do other stuff. While they were dressing themselves, I could pack the cooler for a day out at the park, or load the beach gear into the car.
With the tiny humans I work with, I teach them to sort and put away toys into the proper bins. Clean-up of toys is largely their responsibility. Getting outside for playtime is a lot quicker when everyone can get their coat on independently.
It’s faster for parents to just complete these tasks for their kids, but in the end, taking the time to teach your child independence will benefit him/her, you, and the preschool teacher.
Potty Train Your Child
Before preschool starts, potty train your child. Most schools require kids to be potty trained, or close to it.
It’s important to know that being fully potty trained isn’t the same as training. Kids can be fully potty trained at home and have accidents outside the house.
It’s not uncommon for kids who have no accidents at home to have them at school. Preschool will be filled with new experiences and distractions. It’s easy for tiny humans to forget they have to go!
Being fully potty trained includes being able to communicate needs. Remember that your child’s teacher doesn’t know that when she shakes her leg, it means she has to go!
It also includes being able to independently manage their pants. Pants are important. Save zippers and buttons for home. Send your child in pants that are easy to pull up and down.
Practice wiping. That’s all. The preschool teacher will not wipe your child’s butt. Practice all of this long before preschool starts.
Read Books About Preschool
The first day of preschool can be daunting for young children. Books can be powerful tools to familiarize your child with the concept of preschool. Choose age-appropriate books that explore the fun and exciting aspects of attending preschool. Reading together can also be a bonding experience for both of you.
Here are a few of my favorites.
Pete the Kitty’s First Day of Preschool. Pete the Cat is groovy! He’s a lot of fun.
Get the Right Supplies
Be ready for the first day of preschool with the right supplies.
Those tiny backpacks for preschoolers are SO CUTE! But don’t waste your money.
Instead, opt for a standard-sized backpack for your child. Keep in mind that the backpack needs to carry a lunchbox, a folder, and whatever else is being sent home daily.
Choose a well-made backpack that will last for several years.
For lunches, get creative with a Bento Box. Kids love these. You can send a variety of tasty and nutritious things all in one box. This one is really sturdy and well-made and comes in a lot of colors.
Avoid Long Goodbyes
Cheerfully assure your child that he/she will have a great day. Tell him/her that you can’t wait to hear about all the fun they had when you return for pick up.
Then leave.
Choke back your tears and cry in your car if you must. But drop off, say goodbye, and exit.
Lingering while your child clings to you only prolongs the agony for everyone involved. Your child will be fine. It may take some time to adjust, but I promise your child will be ok.
On Salt’s first day of preschool, he was a crying, snotty mess. Notice his teacher, smiling. It took some time, but he adjusted and loved preschool.
Preparing your child for preschool is a significant milestone that requires patience, understanding, and support.
By following these 8 steps now, you can help your child be confident and ready before the first day of preschool.
Remember that each child is unique, and while some may adjust quickly, others might take a bit more time. It took Salt a full month to stop crying at drop-off. Eventually, he became excited to go to school.
With love, reassurance, and a positive attitude, your child will thrive and flourish in their preschool journey.
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