I am sure that there are a lot of parents out there excited and nervous at the same time about the imminent arrival of the new school year.  For some it is a transition in the education journey as preschool is left behind for ‘big school.’  

To help prepare your preschooler, there are a number of things that you can do:

• Take your child to the school so that she can see the building, inside and out.  When there are siblings already attending the school this is usually already done.  It helps for your child to know where they will be going and to be comfortable with the environment (the same is true for everyone.)
• Buy the backpack and lunch box early so that your child can go ahead and already be using it.  It is better for her to start school with a lunch box and bag that is familiar than having to get to something else that is new.  Also, by going ahead and using these things you can verify that she can use them independently.  If not, then adapt the materials so that she can use them unaided.
• Read books about starting school so that your child has an understanding of the activities and behaviors that will be expected of her.  
• Talk with excitement about this “wonderful new experience” when around your child.  Talk it up and do not discuss any apprehension you may have in front of her.
• Visit your new school and the teacher.  Forge a relationship of partnership and discuss how to have on-going communication throughout the year.  I recommend a communication book where you can write daily any comment or piece of information relevant to the teacher and she can do the same for you.  Neither of you will have time to write or read pages of information; make it concise.  An entry might be something like:

• If your school has a uniform, get it early and let your child wear it a few times to get used to it.  This also allows you to see where there might be problems with comfort or independence (e.g., toileting.)  Take your ‘first day of school’ pictures while your child is wearing the uniform to avoid making a big fuss on the actual first day.  Tell your child how grown up she looks (and don’t cry!)
• Two weeks before school starts, establish the bed time routine that you will want when your child is in school.  Summer routines are usually all over the place and changing routines at the same time as starting school can be too large of a transition- not to mention the extra sleep that is required.
• Think about the lunches you will provide.  If packing a lunch, what foods can your child eat independently and without too much mess?  
• When the first day of school arrives, try to behave in a matter-of-fact way so as to not feed your child’s nervousness or anxiety.  Validate any emotions she might be feeling when you become aware of them but don’t ask questions like “are you nervous?” as this communicates that you think they should be and can make them so.  Instead, if she looks anxious, simply hug her and reassure her with a smile that she will have a great day and make lots of new friends.
• Put together information about your child that would be useful for the teacher.  Remember that teachers do not have a lot of time to read long reports, but a few pages of concise information about your child can be very useful.  Here is an example of a book that you can download and fill in or change to suit:

http://kcdsg.org/files/content/All%20About%20Me%20Booklet.pdf

I hope that the transition goes smoothly and that you and your child focus more on the positive aspects of this great milestone.  Think of the free time!

© Ann Haig Wheeler, DSC 2009

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