Transition to Preschool
Month before
Begin talking to your child about preschool about a month before the first day, perhaps with the help of a book like Rosie goes to Preschool or Maisy goes to Preschool
If your child will be napping at school, get him or her acclimated to the nap time and even try sleeping on the nap map for a couple days
I like these personalized nap mats but there are plenty of more affordable options with fun patterns on Amazon (including this customizable one)
Involve your child in picking school gear, like their backpack or lunchbox
Add your child’s name to water bottle, jacket, shoes and anything else that might get mixed up
I just use Sharpie to write on the water bottles and clothing tags, but if you want a more long-term solution that could hold up better, check out Name Bubbles for stickers and iron-on labels
First days
Schools have different philosophies about how long to let parents linger during the first drop offs; personally, I think it’s better to keep goodbyes short and sweet (just a few minutes), otherwise it may just prolong their agony
Many schools offer a gradual start where full-day students can begin with just a few hours and increases over the course of the week - even if this isn’t an official option, you can always implement this yourself, if your own work/childcare schedule allows and the teachers are fine with it
If you’re coming from a nanny or a daycare where you received frequent updates and photos, it can be a big adjustment for you to not know what’s happening in your child’s day to the same extent. But remember, you want teachers who are truly present and not logging/snapping photos all day!
First weeks
If your child is really unhappy and resisting school, it’s understandable to start second-guessing your decision. But hang in there - I wouldn’t start forming any real conclusions until at least a month in, since it’s normal to have an adjustment period
My daughter was one of the most vocal dissidents in her preschool class for the first month, and then switched to being the happiest kid who has to be dragged out of the classroom at the end of the day!
The challenges of the first weeks could be exacerbated by sleep disruption if they aren’t napping or sleeping at night as they normally do, as they adjust to the new schedule and environment
Children may continue to lament having to go to school, but then actually have a great time once there - so as heartbreaking as it can be to hear their protestations, make sure to get the report from teachers at pickup so you have a more accurate picture of their experience
Ongoing
If after pickup you’re getting minimal responses to your questions of “How was school?” or “What did you do today?,” remember that kids are also people and need time to unwind - how would you feel if you got home from work and were immediately bombarded with questions?!
It may be better to wait a bit and ask at dinnertime, or while looking together at photos from school to serve as conversational prompts
It’s normal for Mondays to be especially rough as children transition back from the weekend, and this is even more the case when returning from holiday breaks
Expect a lot of illness the first year of school, even with the best hygiene practices
For us, it felt like default was sickness - we noticed, with delight, when we were healthy
Know that it will get better the second year, when your child’s stronger immune system may result in about half as many days of sickness
