Preparing Your Child for Pre-School

Preparing your child for Pre-school is a two-step preparation process. One-step is for your child and the other step preparation process is for you the parent or child provider to let go of your child for pre-school.

• Your child's age is an important factor to consider when deciding on the correct school for him or her. An elementary school age child's needs are different from a high school student's needs. Your child may simply need a place he or she can feel comfortable and make new friends. Pre-school is an excellent place to help your child understand and experience acceptable social norms among other children.
• Your child may not be able to vocalize all of his or her concerns. As your child's parent, you help your child by reading children books on first day school adventures with happy endings. Chat with your child about these experiences and animate how wonderful meeting new friends will be.
• Let your child know that you will always be there for him or her should he or she should need you. You are just a phone call away. If you say this, verify that you are reachable should your child need to hear your voice.
• Take time to research schools. Print out school information and make notes on those sheets pertaining to the individual schools. Write the advantages and disadvantages of each school. Discuss this information with your family.
• Talk to your child about who he or she can talk to if he or she has any questions while at her new pre-school. The location will be new, the building will be new, new faces, and new things might be overwhelming for your child.
• Saying goodbye will be the most difficult situation of your child's first day for both your child and yourself. Create your own departure saying that will reassure your child you will be excited to pick him or her up as soon as you are done at work or with your chores. Keep the goodbye short but positive. Saying goodbye with a positive approach and quickly reassuring your child you will return to pick him or her up will make it less stressful for both of you. Try practicing this special departure saying to your child weeks in advance whenever you leave him or her with another parent or relative or friend. This special departure saying will confirm to your child you will return.

Recognize this is the first major transition to a new stage in your child's life. Helping your child prepare for listening, sharing, and speaking with others in a more structured environment can be a new adjustment for your child. The more you encourage and have fun with your child preparing for his or her first day at pre-school, the better adjusted your child will be to his or her new school environment.