The journey of getting ready for preschool
I know for each toddler getting ready for preschool may be a bit of a different journey. Some might be really excited and some might be scared of the amount of children.
Similarly, we as moms might have very different feelings about this new season in our mom- life. Maybe worried we will miss our toddlers? Maybe nervous about what the system of preschool will be like? Maybe not really sure whether your toddler is for preschool or whether preschool is the right choice for your family?
However whatever comes our way, you and I have got this mama. We have had a whole life time of dealing with challenges and change. We more or less know what a preschool day looks like and have somewhat of a picture of what the other kids and preschool teacher will be like.
On the other hand our toddlers don’t have this mental picture. Preschool is a pretty new concept to them. Maybe they have been part of a play group before, maybe they have seen a sibling going to preschool, and maybe they have seen their favorite TV character go to preschool but it’s still a big change for them.
Plan a Preschool Visit
Ask about visiting the pre-school so that you and your child can get familiar with the school’s environment. Familiarize them with where everything is located in the school. Let them play on the playground equipment. See if you can set up a time for your child to meet their teacher. This was a total game changer for us when my son was nervous about starting school. We met his teacher, without classmates, in his actual classroom so that on the first day it didn’t feel so overwhelming when the other kids were mixed into the equation.
Preschool checklist
Check with your pre-school location for specific items requested by each class. The following are the typical non-negotiables for starting school.
Backpack
Choose a backpack that’s the right size for your child. It should be lightweight, comfortable, and easy for them to carry. Some centers request full-size backpacks while others prefer smaller backpacks that are easier for littles to carry. Check with your center to see if they have a preference. Look for backpack features like padded shoulder straps, multiple compartments, a water bottle holder, and durable material. The material should be easy to clean, machine-washable, and stand up to daily use. You don’t want one that’ll come apart after a few months. Last but not least, find one that your child will love! Backpacks are a great way to help your little one get excited about school. Look for one with their favorite characters, colors, fun designs, or anything they love. Get them involved with the selection and they won’t be able to wait to use it.
Lunchbox
Just like a backpack, a lunchbox should be an exciting way to prepare for preschool. You can go with a backpack-lunchbox combo with matching patterns to help your child recognize which one is theirs. Or choose something totally different that shows their unique style. Regardless of the style, opt for a lunchbox with an antibacterial liner to keep food safe. Look for durable material that can be washed right alongside the backpack. Inside, bento-style trays or food-prep containers help keep food organized. Choose containers that are easy to clean and don’t spread germs. It’s also best to avoid any type of glass container since it’ll be used by little hands.
Clothes and shoes
Choosing clothes is a big part of preparing for back-to-school. Whether you’re already stocked up or hitting the mall for back-to-school shopping, keep these tips in mind:
- Little schoolers are messy. Send them in clothes that will be easy to clean, and you won’t be upset if they get ruined.
- Keep in mind that your little one will be going to the restroom alone. Avoid pants with buttons and snaps. Simple elastic or a drawstring will be the quickest, easiest way to get undressed.
- Dress for the weather. The students will probably spend a big portion of their day outside, so plan accordingly.
- Send a light jacket for your child to keep in their backpack in case they get cold during the day.
- Tennis shoes are best. If you choose anything other than tennis shoes, make sure they are close-toed. Close-toed shoes are the safest option for running, whether it’s inside a gym or outside on the playground.
- Even if your child can tie, shoes with Velcro straps or a slip-on design make daily use much easier. Once they’re on, they’re on. No one has to bother with tying and untying shoestrings all day.
- Keep their extra clothes updated. You will need to send an extra set (or sets) of clothes in case there are any accidents or spills. Make sure the extra clothes fit properly and reflect the current season.
Practice Saying Goodbye
Do a mock drop off so that your child will know exactly what to expect on the first day of pre-school. It can be as simple as you walking them out to your front porch, giving them a hug, and then shutting the door so they can get a feel and expectation for how brief the exchange will be.
Several months before school starts, you could even try dropping your child off somewhere and gradually increasing time you’re away to help ease separation anxiety.
Another element of the art of the “goodbye” is making it brief and as positive as possible. Try your best not to hover or to even enter the classroom at all. This can be so hard to do when emotions are running high, and all of your mommy instincts are telling you to scoop them up, but I promise you it will only heighten the situation! One tactic that worked really well for us with drop offs was diverting our son’s attention to something fun in the classroom that we knew he loved, especially toys that we didn’t have at home. “Oh look buddy! Check out that awesome train table! We don’t have that at our house! How cool! How long of a track do you think you could make?” It helped motivate him to enter the classroom on his own almost every time.
Read Books Together
There are SO many books out there and available at your local library that feature your kids’ favorite characters tackling their first day of school. One favorite is reading about Pete the Cat and Daniel Tiger also feeling nervous on their first day of school and the things they did to feel better. Seeing those characters start out feeling anxious and then by the end of the book talking about all of the things they loved about their school day helps deliver the message that school isn’t scary. It also inevitably opens up the door for so many awesome conversations to happen between you and your child.
Looking for the perfect pre-school ? We invite you to schedule a visit to Rising Stride to see firsthand how we create a nurturing and stimulating environment. Contact us today to arrange a tour. We’ll help ease the transition and make this an exciting journey for all.