First Day of School Tips for Parents

The start of preschool is such an exciting milestone – for both children and parents. It is a season full of firsts: first classrooms, first teachers, first backpacks, and even the first bittersweet goodbyes and drop-off. While it is normal for little one (and their parents!) to feel a mix of excitement and nerves there are a few simple ways to make the transition smoother and more joyful.

Preschool is the first step in child’s lifelong adventure of learning, so parents want to make it as positive as possible. It is also a big transition for parents so preparing together will help ease this new step for both of child and parent. By using these tips, you may ease some of the anxiety.

• Take your child to visit the school they will be attending. Meet the teacher, see the classroom, and visit the playground
• Read stories about going to school. Here are a few ideas:
• Partner with your child’s teachers. She will be a great resource and you can fill her in on some of your child’s favorite activities that she can have available to help ease transitions.
• Use pretend play where your take turns being the teacher.
• Make a special shopping trip to let your child pick out their lunch box, backpack or a school supply.
• Send in a photo of Mom and Dad that the child can look at during the day if he or she is missing you.
• When the time comes to drop your child off you can plan a goodbye routine, a special hug or song, but be strong and resist the back-and-forth rescue as that will only make your child anxious by feeling you’re unsure about this first experience.
• The night before the big first day make sure your child gets a good night’s rest and be sure all the clothes and materials for school or set out so it can be a hassle-free morning.

• Spot Goes to School by Eric Hill
• Chu's First Day of School by Neil Gaiman
• Preschool Hooray by Linda Leopold Strauss
• Llama llama Misses Mama by Anna Dewdrey
• The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn

At the end of a long day, you want to know what your child has been doing! Asking your child “What did you do today” might be met with “Nothing” or “I don’t know”, no matter the age of the child. It’s important to keep communication open so your child feels comfortable talking about all aspects of their day, whether they have been good or challenging. Here are some tips to help extract aspects of your child’s day and keep the doors of communication open. Ask questions that require more than a yes or no answer: Instead of asking, “Did you have a good day?” try asking a question that requires more than a yes or a no. For example, you can ask, “Who did you play with today?” “What was your favorite activity today?” Be prepared to answer the same questions from your child too! After all, they wonder what it is you do when they aren’t around!

Celebrate the small wins. Whether your child makes a new friend, sings a classroom song, or learns to recognize their name, celebrate those moments. Preschool is about building a love of learning, and a parent’s encouragement can make all the difference.

For further information on Back to School Tips see visit www.kangarookkidschildcare.com or like Kangaroo Kids on Facebook or call 908-231-7800