By Angela Copperwheat
Director of Carmel Presbyterian Weekday School
Here we are again. The summer just seems to fly right by, and now here we are at the beginning of another school year. This can be both an exciting and stressful time, especially if you are sending your little one to preschool. Whether this is the very first school experience, or just a move into a new class, your preschooler may be feeling a little nervous. So what can you do to calm the nerves (yours and your child’s) and prepare for the first day of preschool?
The first thing you can do is talk it up and be positive. Talk often with your child about school and how much fun it will be. You know your child. Point out the things he will do at school that will be the most fun for him. Refer to the teacher by name. If there are other children in the class that your child knows, talk about that. Talk, talk, talk.
Second, take your child to visit the school. Most schools have visitation days right before school starts. Be sure you attend the visitation day. If you think that your child will have a difficult transition into preschool, discuss this with the director and try to arrange some extra visitation days. Some schools open their playgrounds to the public if school is not in session. If this is the case, you could go play on the school playground.
Buy your child’s new school supplies together. Even the little ones get excited over their new backpack or lunch box. If they go with you to the store and get to pick out their new accessories and supplies they will be much more excited to use them.
Have a definitive plan for dropping your child off for the first day. If you think there may be some tears, discuss this with the teacher. Decide together the best exit strategy. More often than not, the teacher will tell you to be quick. Do not linger at drop off time. Come in, help your child hang up his backpack and say goodbye. You may think that if you stay for a while he will transition better, but this is usually not the case. No matter how long you stay, there will still be a transition when you leave. It is better if you do not draw it out. Go in knowing your child is in capable hands and the school will call you if they need you. Make sure that you are prepared for drop off too. The last thing your child needs is to see you upset.
Preschool is one of the greatest gifts you can give both you and your child! Your child needs to learn to interact with his peers and other adults on his own. And you need time on your own to be you, not mom. So relax, enjoy this time, and know that in the end, preschool is a great experience for the whole family!
Carmel Presbyterian Weekday School
2048 Carmel Road
Charlotte, NC 28226
704-364-5713
acopperwheat@carmelpresbyterian.org
4 comments
Thank you! If your child already goes to day care, do they also need to go to preschool? We have a day care that my co-workers acknowledge as good (they have older children though and ) and with which I am very happy, but I wasn’t sure if children need to do / should do / sometimes do both. Perhaps a preschool in our neighborhod would be good for making new friends with families with same-age children? [And then I could ask other real live people and not type angst into my computer.]
Personally, I think daycare is just like preschool. It’s the same type of social interaction, schedule, structure – that children thrive on. Even if your child goes to a neighborhood preschool, they will inevitably make all new friends in kindergarten because the children will still go off to several different elementary schools. So I think you’re on track where you are!
I agree with Jen, if you are working and your child already goes to daycare, I would not worry about sending him to a neighborhood preschool too. A neighborhood preschool is a great option if you are working and have chosen to have a nanny care for your child while you are at work.
Thank you all! I was Bridget Jones until not so long ago, work mainly with younger guys, and am trying not to drown most days, so this is very helpful.