Tips To Help Your Toddler Adjust To First Day In Preschool

As I sat down to write this article today, I was reminded of my own son who refused to sit in preschool class for the first few days and preferred standing near the door of his preschool. It depends on us parents to help our children to adjust to preschool and be patient to make it a positive experience. Here are a few tips that I have gathered from my own experience and from that of my friends.

Tips to help your toddler to adjust to preschool: 

a) It is first very important that your feelings of sending your toddler to preschool should be positive; you need to be clear of what you expect of the preschool. If you have negative feelings about the preschool it is quite possible that your toddler will also be anxious on being separated from you. Positive thoughts would also make preschool a positive experience for your toddler.

b) Next visit a few preschools in your area especially when they are in session; it will give you a chance to ask questions as your child plays. It is advisable to choose a preschool that is well rated and recommended, but depend on your own judgment after seeing a few. You would do best to know the background and experience of the teachers and if they can deal with difficult upset children. It is also good to know if they serve snacks, whether it is necessary for your child to be toilet trained and if there will be any special needs children in the class. Many preschools have a waiting list and you may have to register in advance.

c) Create an enthusiasm in the child on the night before he/she goes to preschool; you could ask what snack he/she would like to have and all the things he would like to take in his backpack to school and pack them together. You could pack a toy or stuffed animal if allowed in school; however make sure it is not toy cars and trucks that could hurt them and other kids. You could also remind him of the toys and some of his friends he would be meeting.

d) Let lots of time to get ready and reach as rushing could make both you and your toddler anxious. Then take him to pee, if necessary and do not forget to leave your cell number in case you have to be contacted.

e) It would be ideal to request the teacher that you want to stay in the preschool class for an hour daily for about a week to a month. Sit and read a book and do not move about. Some children that are comfortable with strangers would get more easily adjusted, while timid ones will take a little longer. 

f) Once you find your toddler is adjusting to preschool it would help to leave for short times by telling him/her and saying you will be back after getting her say, an ice-cream of her choice. You could also give her/him a stuffed animal to keep until you return.

Has your toddler adjusted to first day in pre-school?   

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