Preparing your child for Pre-K

The first few days of school can be a challenge to children, parents and teachers!  We have found that the experience is usually for more difficult for parents than it is for children.  Here are a few tips for making the transition easier for everyone.

 Before sending your child to school for the first time, make sure he or she has had some supervised time away from you. This may be a day care or babysitter, or with friends or relatives.  Letting your child occasionally stay overnight away fromhome develops more independence among young children.

 Talk to your child about going to school.  Tell him or her about positive experiences you remember and about things they'll be learning at school.  There are many books related to going to school for the first time.  Check them out at the library or for a special treat buy one at the bookstore.

Make your child aware that every child goes to school and that schools are wonderful places to learn.  It is your child's job to be a student, just like it is your job to go to work or take care of the family.  Never use school as a threat, such as "You have to go to school to learn how to mind" or "Just wait till the teacher sees you act like that".  Parents and teachers should be perceived as people who show unconditional love.

 We will have and Orientation Day for children and parents.  This will be chance to explore the room, meet the teachers and a few classmates, and generally become familiar with the environment.  When you get home, talk about the things you saw and try to guess what might happen tomorrow, when the children stay at school with their classmates.

 The first few days of school it is fine to walk your child to the classroom.  If you see a few tears, don't worry.  The tears disappear once Mom or Dad leave.  Once the children become involved in an activity, they almost always calm down and begin to enjoy themselves.  Be assured that if your child continues to be upset after you leave or if we can't calm hm or her down, we will call and let you know.

After the first week, we ask that you drop your child off without coming into the classroom.  Your child will be proud of his independence as he greets his friends, learns the classroom routines and waves  goodbye with a big smile on his face!