The first day of preschool is such an exciting day, and I want to share some tips to make it flow as smoothly as possible!
1) Prep your child for this big day. The day before preschool begins, let your child know that he will be starting preschool tomorrow. Tell him how exciting it will be as he will get to play and meet new friends. Describe some of the events that will take place such as playing inside and outside. Also prepare your child that you will take him to school and you will be leaving for the morning/day.
2) Make drop off a quick process. There are definitely kiddos who may start crying once you arrive at preschool and realize you will not be staying. Sometimes this happens the first day, but it may even happen on the second or third day. If your child is crying when you leave, be comforted by this teacher secret: somewhere around 95% of those children have stopped crying within 1-5 minutes of you leaving (in my experience at least). They just need you out of sight to help with the process. Lots of kiddos won’t cry at all, so don’t worry if they are happy for you to leave.
3) Show up with all items that are needed. Look through the paperwork and find which belongings you will need to bring and be sure to have them all, which I would recommend you label with their name. Usually you will need an extra set of clothes, and you may need to bring a lunch or school supplies. If your child is in a program that incorporates nap and allows a special blanket or stuffed animal from home, I would recommend bringing something that they find familiarity in. I especially love the little Pillow Pets. They are a pillow and stuffed animal all in one, and they are easy to store in a cubby.
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This first day of preschool is a huge milestone, and if you are feeling a little emotional about it, that is completely understandable. Lots of parents have shed a tear or two, and you won’t be the last. Enjoy this step your family is taking, and welcome to preschool!
To find out how to help prepare your child for preschool, read more here.
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Thanks for this advice for getting ready for the first day of preschool. You mentioned that it’s important to make sure your child has all the items that are needed, and maybe even label them. It also seems important to help the child know where to find these items so they can grab them quickly.