How to Prepare your Little Ones for Preschool

– By Little Harvard

The first day of preschool can be very overwhelming for the children (not to mention for the parents!).

Adjusting to it can be tough for any child, even for those who have been in daycare for a while. So, what can you do? You can help ease your child’s transition to preschool with few activities, by working on your little one’s social and learning skills before he sets foot in the classroom.
Start by making any preparation time for school fun, and then, move on to a training plan:

– Plan more social activities for the Kids – Social activities will help your child to improve their skills & abilities, such as sharing, taking turns, and playing cooperatively.

– Help your child get used to being part of a group – Playdates with 2 or more children on regular basis will give your child a sense of belonging which is not directly linked to you and home. Music appreciation classes can be a good idea to do in this case.

– Give him a sense of what to expect – Talk to him about what to expect when he gets to school. Be honest with your child. Explain to him what is happening in a direct and age appropriate approach, but don’t make affirmations or promises that you can’t keep or control, such as “It’ll be the most fun you’ve ever had,” or “There’s nothing to be afraid of”. Every child is at least a little bit anxious when starting preschool. The best attitude is to keep calm, and calm his fears with information.

– Read stories about ‘first day in school’ – You can find a huge amount of books and e-books to support children who are starting school. Here are few suggestions: ‘Going to School’, by Anne Civardi and Stephen Cartwright, ‘Preschool Day Hooray!’ By Linda Leopold Strauss, and ‘Maisy Goes to Preschool’ by Lucy Cousins.

– Create a good-bye ritual – If this is the first time your child will be away from you, he may worry that you’re not coming back. By creating a ‘special goodbye ritual’ every morning, you will be giving your child the confidence that he needs to stay in school until you are back. During the first few days, allow extra time to get him ready and out the door in the morning, too. The more calm things are at home, the easier the separation will be.

Good Luck Mums & Dads!!!