First Day of Preschool

The first day of preschool for kids is often wrought with anxiety for both parents and kids. While preschool can be fun and a great learning experience, it can also be a bit daunting for a little one. What can you do to make that first day a little easier on your little guy or girl? Keep reading!

Help your child have a great first day of school!

Choosing a Preschool

Much of the first day jitters can be alleviated by choosing the right program. More than likely there are numerous preschool programs in your area. Some may be state affiliated and run in conjunction with an elementary school, and others may be privately run schools. Choosing a preschool for your child is an important decision that will affect both of your lives. Where do you begin?

• Talk to friends and family. If you know others who already have their kids in preschool, ask them why they0 chose the particular schools their children attend. Word of mouth and personal recommendations are some of the best advertising!
• Ask the professionals. These professionals may include elementary school teachers in your area, pediatricians, ministers, and others who may have experience dealing with a preschool.
• Visit several preschools. Some preschools may prefer that you schedule an appointment before your visit, but you could do a quick drop-by and see what is going on. First impressions can make a huge impact on your decision, so listen to your gut reaction as you survey the outside and inside of the facility, meet the staff, and watch the children in action.
• Decide what you want in a preschool. Some facilities are actually glorified babysitters, providing a safe, if not stimulating, haven for children to stay while their parents work. These facilities may be clean, offer good food, and have a charming staff, but they may not focus on any set Preschool Curriculum. If that’s what you are looking for…great! If not, then look for a school that actually focuses more on educating your child.
• Is religion a problem? Many privately run preschools are run by churches. You may not have the option of finding a preschool that is run by the denomination you attend. If this is a problem, then you may not want your child going to a church-based preschool. However, if you do choose to send your child to one of these facilities, make sure you are aware of any religious instruction that will be given—if this is important to you.

Preparing for the First Day of Preschool

The first day of preschool can be a mixture of emotions for everyone involved. How do you make the transition go a little more smoothly for your child?

• Begin talking about preschool several weeks before the first day. Don’t wait until the week before your child is to attend preschool to discuss it with her.
• Go shopping together for school supplies. Kids love getting new crayons, backpacks, lunch boxes, glue, sleeping bags, nap mats, and all of those other fun supplies. Let your child join in the fun and catch the excitement of preschool by allowing her to choose some of the items.

The Big Day is Here

Ideally, your child has already visited the school and met her teacher. When the first day arrives:

• Send a favorite animal or toy with him for naptime. Most preschools have a particular policy about what children can bring with them to school, but they typically recognize that little ones need to have something familiar with them, especially at nap time.
• Talk in positive tones about the first day of preschool. Sometimes, parents dread that first day so much that they inadvertently pass on those feelings to their kids. Try to avoid this scenario by talking positively about preschool. Talk to your child about all of the fun things she will get to do.
• Visit the school. Do you remember your first day of school? Maybe not, but you can understand how overwhelmingly scary it can be for a child. Visit the school a couple of weeks before your child’s first day. Let her meet her teacher, watch the children, and see her room.
• If possible, let her first day be a shorter one. You might be able to drop her off for just a morning, and then gradually increase her day through the week. Of course, this isn’t always a feasible option, and if you can’t do this, don’t beat yourself up over it. Your little preschooler will be fine!
• Don’t prolong the goodbyes. Finally, even if you are upset at leaving your child for the first day, whatever you do, don’t let her see those emotions! Be upbeat and positive. Talk about how you’ll see her that afternoon. Help her settle down at a table or in the room with a book, toy, etc., then leave. Don’t peek back around the corner. That being said, however, you can always call the school after you get to work to see how she is doing. When you pick her up, spend time talking about her day.

The first day of preschool can be a stressful experience, but with a little planning, positive thinking, and love, you both can make it through the day! For more information on this topic, check out our interview with Anna Jane Hayes.

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