Attending preschool for the first time is a huge milestone in your child’s life. As you prepare your little one for this new experience, remember that your excitement will encourage his or her confidence.
Dorie Wood, MS, instructor for the My First School program at The Magic House®, recommends the following tips to prepare your child for this exciting new experience in life.
- Read books about school or act out going to school. Go through the routines that occur before a child leaves for school and activities that happen in the classroom so your child will be prepared when the day arrives.
- Visit the school beforehand. During the summer months, occasionally drive by your child’s school and say, “That will be your school soon.” Play on the playground or visit the classroom to build a sense of familiarity before the first day.
- Know your child’s schedule ahead of time. Saying “I’ll see you this afternoon” is a concept that may be difficult for your child to understand. Be clearer by telling your child, “I’ll be there to pick you up after you sing the goodbye song and pack your backpack.”
“A child relies on his or her parents when assessing a new situation,” Wood says. “If a parent shows enthusiasm, interest and confidence in the child, he or she will sense these positive feelings and feel more at ease.”
St. Louis Children’s Hospital is a part of the “My First School” program—a preschool preparation class for toddlers and their parents at The Magic House. For more information, call 314.822.8900.