As we head into the Fall, many children will be starting school for the first time! This can be an exciting time but can also be a little scary. Being nervous about making new friends, being in new locations, and being away from parents can make it hard for some kids. Here are some tips to make this new transition easier for the whole family!
Talk about school, a lot!
Positively talk about school, teachers, buses, and education. Don't wait until the First Day of School, start talking about it during the summer.
Make school feel familiar.
Attend your child's Back to School or "Meet the Teacher" night! This allows your child to meet the teacher/school staff, see their classroom/school, see their desk/bathrooms/resource rooms, and much more!
Get excited about preparing
Set a good bedtime and morning routine that you start practicing a few weeks before school starts. Take your child school shopping for their supplies and clothes. This can help them feel less nervous and get excited about school.
Remind them it is okay to feel big
Let your child know that it is okay to have big feelings. It is okay to have different feelings about school or multiple feelings at once. Talk to your child about how they feel and find a calming strategy that works for them, if necessary.
Face your own anxieties
Your child going to school can be a difficult transition for parents, as well. Make sure you are dealing with your own emotions and feelings, along with your child's. Remember to stay positive when talking about school and remember that change/your child growing up is inevitable.
The first day of school is a big milestone for your little one. Celebrate with them, encourage them, and help them feel comfortable about this big new change in their life. Soon, they’ll be sprinting to the car lane to tell you all about how much fun they had that day. And you can feel great about the incredible investment you are making in your little one’s life through early childhood education.
Resources:
https://www.zerotothree.org/resource/preschool-prep-helping-toddlers-prepare-for-preschool/
https://www.unicef.org/parenting/child-care/how-prepare-your-child-preschool https://dfwchild.com/emotionally-preparing-your-toddler-for-preschool/
https://www.happiestbaby.com/blogs/toddler/toddler-prepare-for-school
https://www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/emotionally-preparing-your-child-for-preschool
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