In the next week or so you will be receiving a letter from your child’s teacher introducing themselves and letting you know about open house on Thursday September 8th. Open house provides your child the opportunity to meet their teacher, classmates and become familiar with their new school environment. It will also provide you the opportunity to learn about what your child’s day will look like, the activities they will participate in and most importantly meet their teacher’s. The following are some suggestions to help with the transition to preschool.
Talk about it
Begin talking with your child about preschool. Share with them all of the fun things they will have the opportunity to explore. Mention several times through out the day different fun activities that they will participate in during their preschool day. For example, when you go to preschool you will paint at the easel. In preschool there will be blocks, a sensory table and a fun dramatic play area. Etc…
Read books about preschool
Visit the Burlington Public Library and ask the Liberian to assist you on finding books about preschool. There are lots of different book out that share with young children what preschool is all about. Reading books about preschool will provide you with more opportunities to talk about the positive things your child will learn while at school. Reading and discussing books will also provide the opportunity for your child to ask questions. Make sure when answering questions about school you are always positive and excited for them to attend school.
Let him or her help with the shopping
Go shopping together to pick out a backpack and lunch bag. When food shopping help your child pick out nutritious snack that you will pack for them daily.
Visit the classroom
Make sure you attend open house on Thursday September 8th. This will provide your child the opportunity to become familiar with what happens in school.
Good-bye is no big deal
On your child’s first day, you will drop your child off outside with their classroom teachers. There will be tears and the initial transition into preschool can be a tricky one. Some children will cry for 2 minutes other children will cry for two weeks. This is harder on you then it is on anyone else. The preschool teachers are masters at helping children transition. As soon as the routine becomes familiar and predictable the crying stops and the smiling and learning begins.
A child’s first day of preschool is a big deal. Because it is such a huge change to their life and schedule it can be very scary for them. But by following the above tips, you will make your child’s first day of school a smooth and happy transition.
