Getting Ready for the First Day of Preschool
It’s back-to-school season! While you have been preparing your child for their first day of preschool for a long time now, the month of August makes it all seem very real.
The first day of preschool is a major milestone for both children and parents. It's exciting, a little nerve-racking, and builds a whole lot of anticipation for the new experiences ahead for the entire family. As a parent, knowing how to prepare for the first day of preschool may seem overwhelming, but there are steps you can take to prepare your little one for this transition and ensure they feel confident and ready. And you will too with these tried-and-true tips to make the first day of preschool a success.
Read About School
Books are a fantastic way to introduce the concept of school. Look for stories about children attending preschool, making friends, and participating in classroom activities. As you read, discuss the characters' feelings and what your child might expect. Some great books about starting school include:
- "The Kissing Hand" by Audrey Penn
- "Llama Llama Misses Mama" by Anna Dewdney
- "Maisy Goes to Preschool" by Lucy Cousins
- “The Night Before Preschool” by Natasha Wing
- “Froggy Goes to School” by Jonathan Landon
- “All Are Welcome” by Alexandra Penfold
- “The Day You Begin” by Jacqueline Woodson
- “Our Class is a Family” by Shannon Olson
Start the Day off Right
Establishing consistent routines in the weeks leading up to the start of preschool will help create a sense of predictability and comfort for your child.
- Bedtime: Your child’s growing brain needs to get enough sleep. Start adjusting bedtime earlier if needed, so they're well-rested for those early mornings. Help your child pick out their outfit for the next day the night before and practice packing their backpack to avoid rushed mornings.
- Morning: Practice your morning routine – getting dressed, eating breakfast, packing a lunch, brushing their teeth, combing their hair, and other personal hygiene habits that your child will need to complete in a timely manner. Starting this routine ahead of time will help keep your child on task.
- School Day: Talk about what will happen during the day – circle time, playtime, snacks, lunchtime, crafts, and rest time. Ask your child how they feel about starting preschool. Talk with them about their teacher and friends.
- After School: Talk with your child about school pickup, including who can and will pick them up, where you are when they’re at school, and what they’ll do after. Discuss your plans for after school – a special snack, playtime, running errands, washing hands, putting school things away, dinnertime, and winding down for the evening.
Practice Lunchtime
Have some fun with lunch! Let your child help pack their lunchbox. Practice opening and closing containers and using their water bottle. Preschoolers, in particular, may have trouble opening Tupperware on their own. It’s a good idea to use container bags that are easy for your child to use independently, so test run that ahead of time.
Get Used to a New Bathroom Routine
Your child will need to get used to a new bathroom situation. Explain how your child can let the teacher know they need to use the bathroom. If possible, show them where the bathrooms are located at the school. Make sure they're comfortable using the toilet on their own.
Have a Fashion Show
Hype up your kid for the first day of preschool by having a fashion show in your living room. Help them pick out their outfits. Play fun music as they strut their stuff and show off their back-to-school clothes and backpack.
Prepare Their Backpack
There’s nothing like a new backpack! When you go back-to-school shopping, encourage your child to pick out a backpack on their own to give them a sense of ownership and excitement. Talk with them about the things they might put in their backpack, as well as the things they should keep at home or leave at school. Help them get used to putting it on and taking it off.
Visit the School
Your child’s preschool will most likely have an open house day where parents and children can meet the teachers, see their classroom, explore the playground, and get used to the facilities. Your child will also be able to meet some of the other children and you will meet the other parents.
Talk About Their Feelings
It's normal for children (and parents!) to feel nervous. Reassure your child that it's okay to feel a bit anxious, and you'll be there to pick them up at the end of the day. You may have many emotions around your child starting their first day of preschool, including nostalgia, sadness, or feelings of loss. It’s important to let your child know how excited you are for them – this step is an important part of their development. Talk positively about school. Avoid sharing your negative feelings with your child.
Look Forward to the First Day of Preschool
Starting school is a wonderful rite of passage that you can celebrate with your child for the years to come. Start the big day with a fun breakfast tradition. It could be a special meal, a note that you write to them, or a little gift. From the very beginning of their formal education years, be a source of support and positivity for your child.
Take a First Day Photo
Don’t forget to take a photo on the first day of school! It doesn’t have to be fancy or involve a first day photo board. You can just take a snapshot of this moment in time to look back on and see how much your child has grown.
Start Learning for Free
With the Preschool Box, engage your child in the type of learning that they’ll start at school – lessons that encourage reading and creativity, complete with 16+ activities in every box, including a parent guide. Best of all, your child may be eligible to receive a FREE monthly Subscription Box Kids activity kit using grant funds from your state. Get started today.
Every child is different, and some kids may take to preschool more easily than others. Be patient, supportive, and most importantly, excited for this new chapter!