Woohoo!!! Your child is starting preschool. You’ve found a great preschool, and now the countdown starts to your child’s first day. Here are some things parents do to make this transition easier for your child and for you!
Two weeks before preschool
- Start taking your child to see the school. This can be as simple as a drive by past the school, and pointing out how exciting it looks – the playground, the sandpit, the colourful building!
- Go shopping! Take your child to get their backpack, their water bottle, and a snack box.This gives your child a sense of control, and mentally prepares your child for starting school.
One week before preschool
- Start taking your child to play in the school garden. We do encourage this to allow your child to be familiar with the environment. At Shaws Preschool, we usually encourage children to come in the early mornings or the evenings. Now with safe distancing measures in place, we can only allow children that are due to start to come in with parents on Saturdays. This is a great way to get your child familiar with the school!
- Start talking your child about the morning routine – Who will be dropping your child off to preschool, how will your child be getting to preschool, etc
- Answer any questions your child may have. For children who are not talking yet, watch for their non-verbal cues as you talk to them about preschool.
- Start adjusting their bedtime if you need to, so they have a good nights sleep, and wake up fresh and early for school.
The DAY BEFORE preschool
- Answer any last minute questions
- Ensure your child goes to bed on time
- Pack your child’s backpack together
On the FIRST DAY
- Wake up early and have a hearty breakfast.
- Review the days routine. At Shaws Preschool, parents usually accompany their child for the first day or two. If you are doing this, let your child know.
- Pack the remaining things in your child’s bag together. Pop your child’s water bottle and snack box in their back pack with them.
- You may wish to let your child choose something special to pack in their bag – e.g. a favourite book or a stuffed toy. Having something from home can make the transition from home to school a little easier.
- If you’re at Shaws Preschool, a parent is usually in class for the first day. When you get home, talk about your child’s first day at school. The things they liked, their favourite things about preschool, the people they met (teachers and friends).
We hope this helps. Have a great first day at preschool!
Liane Shaw, Director of PLAY