When your child begins preschool, separation anxiety and all the new people wreck a child’s sense of stability, creating fear and dread. Preschool is an important first step in establishing independence. It helps children learn how to form social ties, and also initiates a love of learning and creative expression. Help your child feel more confident and excited about this new phase with the following tips.
Make the New School Old School
Talk to your child’s teachers about what they plan to do in the classroom. Before school begins, introduce those activities at home. This will give the child a sense of familiarity that is comforting, and may make them more inclined to share his or her knowledge with others in the class. This allows your child to interact with people as a leader, and boosts confidence.
For example, if the preschool plans to have certain games for the children to play or wants to work with finger paint, do these activities at home with your child. Anything that your child already knows will make your child feel reassured and safer in the new environment. Encourage him or her to listen to your instructions quietly, and to ask questions when the time is right.
Show your child the importance of listening and following rules in the classroom. Set up a pretend school area, then ask him or her to stand up in front of you and talk about something they like while you sit quietly and listen. When your child is finished, raise your hand and ask a question. Your child may or may not notice your raised hand, but make sure to explain the significance of the raised hand and listening in the teacher-student relationship.
This practice helps your child adjust to rules that are not part of the home, one of which is raising one’s hand before and waiting for the teacher to acknowledge it. Make sure to switch roles so your child can be the hand-raiser.
Share the Fun
Talk about how much fun school can be. Explain how it leads to meeting nice people. Keep your statements simple, but make it clear that you think school is a good thing and how much you loved going. Simple, positive conversations about social time and learning with others will make a lasting impression even though your child is young.
This might also be a good time to share a story from your own school experience. As long as it’s age appropriate and easy to follow, it might be something your child loves to think about during stressful times.
Visit Before School Starts
Many preschools, like Creative World School in Lee’s Summit MO, offer tours for parents and children before the beginning of the school year. If possible, take your child to the preschool before school starts. This lets the child have a memory of the place that involves you. If both parents can go, that’s great. If only one, that’s fine. You may even include siblings in this trip. However you do it, a visit ahead of time will make a strange place familiar. This familiarity will help ease fears when you leave them there for the first time.
If you know other children that will be in the same class, try to arrange a play date ahead of time. Familiar faces can be comforting.
Set a Routine
Many parents find it beneficial to set up a routine around certain points in the preparation and drop-off process. These routines help children adjust to changes in a comforting manner.
For instance, while getting dressed for school, make time to share a little song together that focuses on having a good day. When you arrive at the school, take the time to walk your child into the classroom, then help him or her put away their belongings. When you say goodbye this way, it means more because you’ve helped prepare for a big day. Always let your child know that you, or someone else your child loves, will be back to bring him or her home. Many children fear being left at preschool and not being able to return home. Explicitly state that your child will be home soon, then say goodbye with a phrase that holds a special significance.
The social and educational aspects of preschool prove to be major turning points in a child’s life, as well as in the parent-child relationship. With a bit of determination and planning, this transition can transpire smoothly, ensuring confidence and success for the preschool year.