As a parent, it’s normal to feel mixed emotions about your toddler starting preschool. It’s a big step for both, you and your child. it’s expected to feel a little anxious about sending your kid to school, but you should also feel excited about this new period that lies ahead! Preparing your toddler for preschool can be challenging, but it doesn’t have to be. We’ve rounded up a few tips to make the transition easier for both, you and your toddlers.
Have fun in the preparation process
The last thing you want is to stress yourself about the preparation process, so stay calm and don’t worry about it too much. Instead, make it enjoyable for you and your child. If possible, avoid over-preparing. It’s good that you’re excited, but overpreparing can just overwhelm your toddler. Preparation doesn’t have to be intimidating; you can prepare your child slowly by keeping it on a casual level. It’s important to keep the mood light while preparing them for the coming school opening.
Establish a routine or schedule
A regular routine is the first step towards building good habits, like listening and following directions. That’s why giving your child a schedule or routine can greatly prepare them mentally for their first day at school. To start, create a fun chart that lists all the different things they need to do during the day — from morning until bedtime. By doing this, you’re training your child to complete the tasks in a timely manner, and this will ease them into their soon-to-be school routines. It also makes things easier for you as well!
Train your child with basic skills
Before your child heads off to preschool, it can be helpful for them to begin learning some basic skills, like putting their shoes on, zipping their backpack, unzipping their pants or jacket, etc. You can start by listing the activities and skills that are important for your child to practice. Then, you can begin teaching these skills to your child while playing or incorporate teaching into play. Take note that kids love learning while playing. For example, you can race to see who’s the fastest to unzip their jacket.
Dedicate time for reading to your child
Reading offers numerous benefits to your preschooler. From enhancing language to providing a solid foundation of what to expect, books are a vital part of your child’s preschool education. It will expose them to new vocabulary and teach them how to interact with their peers and follow directions. By doing so, you’re helping your child learn sounds and words while keeping their imagination and enthusiasm for learning alive. You can practice with books that are age-appropriate. While reading, you can ask your child how the story goes or how they feel about it.
Be supportive of your toddler
Going to school first the first time and being away from you for a few hours is a new experience for your child. The most important thing you can give them is your support and guidance as they transition to this new milestone. You can ask your child their concerns about going to school, and be there to support and create a nurturing space for them to decrease some of their fears. For example, if they say they’re shy to talk to other people, or they’re scared to be away from you, tell them that it’s normal to feel this way and that other children feel the same too. Additionally, don’t get annoyed or angry. If you’re calm and reassuring, your child will feel safe exploring their questions and emotions with you.
Preschool is a great way for your toddler to learn new things, make friends, and prepare for grade school. These simple tips will give you a head start on making the transition easier for both you and your toddler. By taking these steps now, you can make preschool a positive experience for your child.
