From the article: Preparing for Preschool
The first day of preschool is a big moment for kids as well as parents. What are some of your tried-and-true methods to make that first day a smooth one? Before your child went back to school, what did you do to help her get ready? Share Your Best Tips
Say cheese and smile :)
- As a former kindergarten teacher, daycare provider and mother of three, I would suggest three things: keep a positive, upbeat, matter-of-fact attitude, visit the facility with your child before school starts so that he/she can meet the leader/teacher and spend some time playing with the toys; and bring along a camera so you can take photos of your child with the teacher, playing with puzzles or building with blocks. When you get home, make a book with the photos and "read" the book with your child. This will help him/her feel more comfortable about this new "unknown" place. You can also make a chart (or another book) that shows the different things your child will be doing every day: eating breakfast at home, going to school, helping mommy make dinner, reading a bedtime story with daddy...this will help your child visualize that he/she will still be doing many things every day with his family.
- —VivianKirkfield
Read books
- For my son, it was all about reading books about preschool. It really helped him understand what was going to happen. Then together we wrote a story about what he thought his preschool would be like.
- —Guest Kate
