Is your child getting ready for Pre-K learning? Whether attending a full-day childcare center, a preschool program, or just an hour-long class, this is your child’s first introduction to formal learning. How you prepare and help them adjust to this new beginning is key to your child’s success.
While most young children will need time to get acclimatized to their new routine and environment, readiness is often more about the parent! Your role in this process is crucial, and it’s okay if you have an adjustment period as well. Here are 5 tips to help you, and your little one, navigate this new milestone.
Picking an outfit for the first day is just step one.
Visit the preschool before their first day
If your child is old enough, bring them to see the facility where they will attend classes to familiarize them with the space. You can show them the rooms, bathrooms and outdoor spaces so they feel more comfortable when they arrive on day 1.
Introduce them to their teachers to help them feel more at ease with the adults running the program. If this is a childcare center, you may be able to ease your child in with a staggered start so they can slowly increase the time they spend there and build up their comfort level with this new experience.
A lot of centres will have open house days for parents and newly enrolled children to tour the facilities. If this is an option at your pre-kindergarten centre take advantage of it as it tends to relax both the incoming child and parents. If it’s not an option, reach out to the centre facilitators to see if it is something you can arrange privately.
Tell them what to expect
Kids often understand more than we think. If your child is old enough, speak to them about preschool, explain why they’re going and what they can expect.
Very young children will need more context to grasp what attending preschool will be like. Finding TV shows and books about preschool can help give them a visual, age-appropriate way to understand what’s in store.
Pre-regulate them to their new routine
Your child might be used to a looser routine, natural wake periods, and activities based on their interests and whims. At a full-day program, there’ll be set rest, meal, and play times, so getting them used to more structure can be helpful.
You’ll likely need to adjust their bedtimes to ensure they’re awake at the right imes. It can take some time for the new schedule to really stick, so try to give them as much time as possible to adjust.
Model confidence
This is a new stage, and it might be hard on both of you! Even though you might be a bit apprehensive on the inside, you want to make sure your child doesn’t pick up on the worries or anxieties you may have.
You can reiterate your planned routine the night before (e.g. wake up, have breakfast, go to daycare, have fun) and stress that you will be there to pick them up when the program ends. It may be difficult if your child becomes very emotional about you leaving. Reinforce them by explaining that they are safe and calmly encourage them to join the teacher and their peers. During the first few days or even weeks, expect drop off to be turbulent. Give yourself extra time, if needed, to stay until they have eased into the room and begun socializing.
This leads us to our next point: plan for the unexpected.
Plan for hiccups
Most children will experience some separation anxiety as they transition into daycare or preschool. It’s a normal part of the process and a sign of a healthy attachment. It can be hard to see your child cry as you leave, but in most cases, they’ll be quickly distracted by new toys, friends, and within a few weeks, be so excited to go they forget about you as soon as they arrive!
It can also be a challenge to adapt to a new schedule where you’re on a tight timeline to get your child awake, fed and dressed before the start of preschool. Give yourself some grace – but also try to build in as much buffer time as you need until you get it down to a science. Children can be notoriously tricky to get out the door, and you’ll likely experience poorly timed spills or messes right before you leave. The more time you give yourself – the better.
Starting preschool is a big step for both you and your child! Be prepared for some surprises and lots of growth. Many parents report seeing their children’s development grow rapidly after exposure to learning and same-aged peers. This is an exciting time, and there’s no doubt that their future is bright!
Embark is Canada’s education savings and planning company. The organization aims to help families and students along their post-secondary journeys, giving them innovative tools and advice to take hold of their bright futures and succeed.
