Preschool Pointers From Parents
Whether your child is starting in a new school or simply going through a clingy phase, it's likely that other families have been through the same tricky transition. Here are their best tips.
By Amanda Wheat
| July
24
, 2007
A big-boy backpack and a simple drop-off routine at preschool can help your child start the day right.
Starting in a new preschool or child care center, returning after a summer vacation, moving up to a new classroom, greeting an unfamiliar teacher: any of these situations can mean big adjustments for a little person. To help your child cope with the change, try this parent- and teacher-tested advice.
Morning Moves
Just like the first impression, the first minutes of the day are all-important. Here's how to start smoothly.
- Take a big-kid backpack: Let your child take a small backpack to and from school that has board books and a small love toy. If the teacher does not have a good place to leave it, keep it in the car. Kids love having a backpack, it makes them feel big even if they only wear it from the door to car.
—Shannon E., Dallas, Texas - Dress for success: Allow your child to choose outfits for school. The night before, lay out two outfit choices and let him pick which one to wear.
—Shannon E. - Make it routine: Develop a routine to do faithfully at drop off: be it reading a short story together, having a special hug and handshake, or just simply relaxing together with a simple song. Having and following a routine will help you're your child's discomfort.
—Katherine C., Cottonwood Heights, Utah
Teacher Talk
Communicate with the teacher often. When you know what happens at school, you can help your child know what to expect.
- Be in the know. My child's distress comes in the morning before getting ready for school. He asks and whines if it is a school day. I've noticed that when I rehearse all the things that they will do at school, the anxiety goes away quickly.
—Rosie H. - Ask the teacher. Ask about daily activities and lesson plans. Then you have specific things to talk about. If you make a picture schedule, your child can write or draw on it or just move stickers to one section of the schedule to show you what they remember doing that day.
—Shannon E. - Read all about it. In the class that I teach we have the lesson plans posted, we send out a weekly parent newsletter, and we also write a "What We Did Today" message that highlights the fun things that we did throughout the day so that parents have "conversation starters." This way parents can say, "Domenic, I read that you painted watermelons today. What did you like most about that?" or "So what did you learn about seeds today?"
—Katherine C. - Volunteer to help. Offer to pick up big picture books at the library on a topic of the teacher's choice. Go to a used book store and buy inexpensive board books that her class can keep. Donate crafts supplies. Read to the kids or help out with a field trip.
—Shannon E.
Be Confident
Your child can sense your anxiety, so project an image of calmness and contentment.
- Know what's normal. Having taught preschool for 12 years now, I have seen a great many different reactions to the drop-off. It is completely normal for kids to struggle with the morning routine. This is the age when children begin to comprehend more about relationships, routines, and how to act. Sometimes they seek extra attention because they enjoy those last few minutes of love from you.
—Katherine C. - Keep it simple. Keep your goodbye routine short and simple, and do not linger. Be confident in your child's new surroundings, because they will pick up on your insecurities.
—Kelly M. - Put on a smile. Children often do much better than we imagine. If you show them your happiness and laughter, they will show you theirs.
—Shannon E.
