Sending a child to school for the first time can be a difficult experience for parents – partly because it is rarely easy to watch a child move on to that next, important milestone, but also because many parents worry that they haven’t made the right decision. While it can be overwhelming, here are a few good tips to help your preschooler start off on the right foot.
Develop a Daily Schedule - Developing a daily schedule a month or so before they start will allow them to feel comfortable and prepared on the first day. Wake up at the time you will need to for school, get dressed, eat breakfast and so forth. This will make the first day much easier.
Talk to Them - Start explaining what they should expect each day, drive to the school, show excitement about the fun activities they will be doing. Let them know that they will get to make new friends. Purchase and read books that talk about that big first day and read these books to them leading up to the big day.
Get Ready! - The night before lay out their clothes, pack their bookbag, and get as much ready as possible so the things you can control go as smoothly as possible. Remember, your child will be a bundle of excitement and nerves so give yourself the time needed to get everything done and be patient.
When it comes time for the big drop off, give them a big hug and say goodbye and that they will do great things. If possible make eye contact with them while saying these things. Don’t rush them, but also don’t linger too long. Have a plan for yourself - grab a cup of coffee with a fellow parent, go for a run, just try to have something planned because this might just be harder on you than it is on them!
Written by Summer Simmons, Marketing Manager at Windermere Preparatory School
Windermere Preparatory School is located in Central Florida and has a reputation as one of the top schools in Central Florida. As a PreK-3 to Grade 12 college preparatory school, we strive to ignite your child’s curiosity and drive them to believe there is no limit to what they can achieve. To learn more about Windermere Preparatory School, please visit windermereprep.com or email 407-905-7737.