How To Prepare Your Preschooler For The First Day Of School

By Author: Nalanda Learning
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It's the first day of preschool! Woohoo! Right? Not for everyone. The first day of preschool can be the highest of highs or the lowest of lows for both children and parents. Making new friends, being in new places, and being away from parents can all be difficult for children. And being away from their child and relying on other adults to care for their child can be stressful for any parent. Fortunately, there are things your entire family can do to get your preschooler ready for the first day of school which have educational tools for preschoolers.

As the big day approaches, here are five things to keep in mind.

Talk about it. A lot
Transition and change can be difficult for anyone, but especially for children under the age of five. Whether it's bedtime or the first day of school, not giving kids the time they need to process what's going on can be a big reason why they become overwhelmed by their big emotions and throw tantrums.
To counteract this, discuss the first day of school well in advance of the actual first day. Why? Because you wish to...

Make school feel familiar
The more familiar ...
... a new location is, the less anxious your child will be. That doesn't mean they won't be scared or nervous, but any amount of familiarity will help. Attend an open house or "meet the teacher" event at your child's school! This way, your child will understand:

◉ Who their teacher is.
◉ What their school and classroom look like.
◉ Where they will sit and where important things like bathrooms are located.
◉ How to get to their classroom from the carpool lane.

Use your conversation with your child to check in and discuss what they're worried about. Otherwise, you may not be concerned about where their backpack will be once they arrive at school. Additionally, if your child has spent their entire life waking up whenever they want, suddenly having a wake up time can be a rude awakening. As early as possible before their first day of school, assist them in developing a morning routine. This could include deciding what time you'll leave for school in the morning or the route you'll take. Practice the routine PRIOR to the first day of school so your children know what to expect and you can iron out any kinks.

Get excited about preparing
It's exciting to go to school! Seeing old friends, meeting new ones, and reaching new milestones are all reasons to rejoice. As a result, as a parent, make sure to include your child in the preparations for the big day. Instead of doing it alone, take them shopping for supplies and clothing. If they're nervous about their first day, knowing they'll be able to wear the new shoes they chose or carry the backpack they chose can help them relax.

Back to point number one, use this preparation time to tell them how exciting school will be and how proud you are of them for enrolling. Check in with them to see if there is anything specific bothering them that you can assist with.

Remind them it’s okay to feel big
The last thing you should tell a child who is worried about returning to school is that there is nothing to worry about. Let them know you understand why they're nervous and that you admire them for being brave enough to work through their anxiety.
Discuss with your children ways to stay calm if their anxiety becomes overwhelming. Help them out with preschool educational resources. There are several options, including deep breathing, muscle relaxation, and getting up and moving. Find a solution that works for them.

Face your own anxieties
If you are enrolling your child in preschool for the first time, or if your child has health concerns or developmental delays, you may be feeling more anxious than your child about their first day. Unfortunately, children are masters of reading their parents. They will notice if you are stressed and anxious, no matter how much you smile and tell them everything is fine.

Make time to address your own fears, just as you've been assisting your child with theirs. Identify what is making you nervous, discuss your concerns with your child's school, and reach out to other parents who may have answers to your nagging questions. The more positive you are about your child's first day, the more positive your child will be.
The first day of preschool is a significant milestone for your child. Celebrate with them, encourage them, and make them feel at ease with this major change in their lives. They'll soon be sprinting to the car lane to tell you how much fun they had that day. And you can be proud of the significant investment you are making in your child's life through early childhood education.

Know more about Nalanda Learning Systems, please visit www.nalandalearning.org.