How to Prepare Your Toddler for Preschool: Tips and Tricks
Create a New Routine
Practice makes perfect. Start practicing the new bedtime and wake-up time your child needs, several weeks before preschool starts. Pick a bedtime that ensures a good night’s rest and a wake-up time early enough so neither of you has to rush in the morning. You could even start a new tradition of picking out clothes together the night before and enjoying breakfast together in the morning.
Visit Together
If you can, plan a visit to your child’s new school together before their first day. Explore the playground and the classroom together. This way, the school will feel familiar and welcoming when they start on day one. Having you there will make the transition smoother.
Make New Friends
Friendship makes everything better! If possible, arrange a playdate with children from your child’s class. This allows them to build friendships before school starts, making the first day less intimidating.
Play School At Home
Best use of your imagination! Use pretend play to help your child get used to the idea of preschool. Take turns acting out routines like story time, singing songs, reciting poems etc.
Let your child play the role of the teacher. This will make school seem fun and reduce any anxiety they might have.
Turn Getting-Ready Skills Into A Game
All practice and no play make your little one a… bored one! Practice fastening buttons and zippers, putting on a backpack, and putting on shoes BUT into a fun game – see who can do it the fastest! Award them with a treat or two as they get more comfortable doing it
Share Your Experience
Share stories about your first day of school, how you felt, and the special memories you made. Show preschool photographs of yourself or other trusted adults your child knows and talk about them together. While your child learns more about you, you will enjoy a trip down memory lane too.
Listen To Your Child
Ask your little one about their feelings regarding going to school. They will be more than happy to tell you ALL! Reassure them that feeling excited, worried, or any other emotions is normal. Starting something new can feel big and scary (be it any age) but can also be fun! Reassure your child that you will be there to pick them up at the end of the day and maybe carry a snack for them every once in a while.
Have A Good-Bye Plan
Saying goodbye is tough…for both you and your child. When the time comes, try to keep your parting quick and positive. Reassure your child that you’ll see each other again soon.
You can even create a special goodbye routine, like doing a special handshake.
In a nutshell, following these tips can help ease your child’s transition to preschool, making it a positive and enjoyable experience for both of you.
Leave a comment