6 Tips to Make the First Day of Preschool Less Stressful
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The first day of preschool is an exciting milestone in your child’s life. Your child is embarking on a journey that will lead him on many roads of discovery and learning. As wonderful as this new experience may be, this transition can also be quite stressful for the young child (and for you, I’m sure!)
I remember my own experiences when I took my children to childcare. My husband and I always worked full-time, and we had no choice. On the first day of preschool, both my daughters took off running and said bye to me, waving their hands behind their backs (and they are eight years apart). As you can imagine, I was shocked, sad, and proud at the same time.
My son, who is my middle child, was different. He was crying non-stop for the first week. It broke my heart!
I’m sharing my example to show you it’s not easy, but you can do it. I also have to say it helps a lot to prepare them for preschool with straightforward practices and routines you can do at home daily.
At times, new situations and changes can be unsettling (even scary) for all of us. For many children, the first day of preschool may also be their first experience of separation from parents or caregivers. Even the most outgoing children may feel anxious on the first day of preschool because they don’t know what to expect or what will happen to them.
It is your responsibility, as well as the childcare providers’, to make this first day (and the following days) a good preschool experience.
What Can You Do to Help Your Child on the First Day of Preschool?
I offer six easy-to-follow tips to help make the first day of preschool less stressful for your child (and you). These tips will make your child’s transition to this new experience easy and happy (for both of you).
Tip #1: Prepare your child for the new school experience.
Explain to your child what to expect. It doesn’t matter how small your child is. Talk to your child in a language he will understand and answer all his questions directly and honestly. Don’t rush through the morning. Give yourself enough time for your child and still make it to work on time.
Photo by Elly Fairytale from Pexels.
Tip #2: Convey a positive attitude.
Young children notice your feelings (Yup! Even babies). Your enthusiasm will assure your child that preschool can be a fun and exciting place. So, don’t forget to smile (even when you are crying inside!). Your child will pick up your energy, and a positive one will help him cope with this first day of preschool.
Photo by Nappy from Pexels
Tip #3: Establish a routine.
Young children need a routine at home and at school. It gives them security and a clear sense of “what comes next.” That’s why establishing a routine for both the night before a school day and morning preparation matters. Rituals and routines add predictability and are comforting in unfamiliar situations.
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels
Tip #4: Bring something from home.
Every child, especially a very young one, has a special item they’re very attached to. Bringing it to preschool, especially on the first day, is acceptable and often reassuring, helping your child adjust to school. This item may be a treasured blanket, a stuffed animal, or even a photo from home.
Tip #5: Clearly state where you will be.
Indeed, small children do not understand the concept of time. Nevertheless, they do know that you have to go to work. When you clearly tell your child where you will be and when you will return, it gives him peace of mind that you will not leave him behind and that you’ll be back to pick him up. Discussing what will happen when you reunite may also help.
Photo by Elly Fairytale from Pexels
Tip #6: Maintain a clear goodbye routine.
A straightforward goodbye routine may include warning your child that you are leaving in 3 minutes, a kiss and hug, or a wave from the window. Follow through once you tell your child you are leaving. Extending the goodbye with, “Okay, just one more kiss, and then I have to go,” tends to heighten anxiety rather than relieve it. Avoid sneaking out, as it can encourage children to become less trusting and make the second day of preschool even harder.
Photo by Anna Shvets from Pexels
Just remember, it’s normal for kids to cry inconsolably (unless they act like my daughters and say “bye-bye” without even looking at you). But even if your child is screaming and howling and clinging to you with his nails, chances are that he’ll be just fine five minutes after you leave.
If you feel your child is having difficulty adjusting, don’t panic. Childcare workers are well trained in these situations and will help him relax (I promise!). So ask your child’s teacher for help, and don’t be surprised if your child runs to his teacher without saying goodbye to you!
Conclusion
Enrolling your child in preschool isn’t easy, especially if he’s never been in childcare. I get it! It is a hard decision, but I hope you feel comfort in knowing that a preschooler is at an age where he needs to be, where he can start learning his social skills, letters, numbers, and all these different activities that are specially designed to help him develop all the necessary skills to prepare him for kindergarten.
Even for the most skilled and dedicated parents, this isn’t easy to do at home. Believe me. I know. I had two degrees in Education before I had my children, and I had to enroll them in preschool because it was hard for me to put on my teaching hat when I just wanted to cuddle with my kiddos. They started preschool when they were only a year and a half old.
In my youngest daughter’s case, I was also her VPK teacher. Oh my gosh! That was challenging, and I’d already been teaching elementary and middle school children for years before that!
Try not to be sad or stressed on that first day at preschool because your child will feed on your energy, and it will be very hard for him, too. Consider these tips that I just gave you, and breathe! I promise that everything will be okay. Good luck!
Be happy, safe, and creative. I wish you well!
Love,
P.S. I hope you find this post helpful. If you did, please share it. Also, let me know how that first day at preschool went, whether the tips I gave you worked for you, or if you did something different. I am very interested in what you have to say, and I would love to update this post with your tip. Thank you!
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