Transition from Home to Preschool

Young children initially find it difficult to stay away from home and their parents. This is true irrespective of whether you opt for adaycare or preschool for your child. This is because she feels secure and comfortable in familiar surroundings and in the company of people she knows well. But, a preschool plays a very important role in moulding your child. Although children learn a lot when they are in the company of their parents and siblings, the preschool helps them learn from their peers and also provides play and socializing opportunities that you may not be able to give your child. Like your child, you may also find the pangs of separation from her difficult. Here are some simple tips to make this transition easy for both of you.

• Visit the preschool alone at first and try to understand their policies in taking care of the children. You may want to check if they match your views on upbringing children. If the preschool lets you, try to talk to the specific teacher also.
• When you take your child to the preschool for the first time, allow her to observe other preschoolers enjoying themselves while she remains in your company. Also, introduce her to the would-be teacher.
• Once you have formally enrolled your child in the preschool, introduce your child to one or couple of friends. It is a good idea to do this continuously for a few days when you drop her in preschool.
• In the initial days, you can stay back with your child to help her get adjusted to preschool.
• Make sure that the teacher greets her and welcomes her with a smile.
• Do not display anxiety on your face as you drop her at preschool. Remain as calm as possible. Children are very sensitive and will easily notice it if you appear disturbed. This can make her reluctant to go to school.
• Discuss with other preschoolers' parents about your anxiety and find out how they dealt with similar issues.
• On the first day, consider getting up a bit earlier. This helps you go about your daily chores peacefully and in a calm environment. This in turn avoids having to rush your child through her activities before she gets to preschool.
• Establish a routine for her day to day activities. Routines can help her feel secure.
• Show your child that you like her teacher. If she is convinced about it, she may start liking the teacher as well.
• Talk to your child about what activities she can expect at a preschool such as drawing, painting and playing. Keep the interactions lively and be honest with her. Answering her questions can provide her a sense of comfort. While using a calm tone provides assurance, over emphasising can cause anxiety.
• If you are giving her snacks to eat at preschool, take her along with you to buy a new snack box, bag and/or water bottle. You can consider giving her a few choices asking her to choose from among them. Get her ideas on what you should pack in them every day.
• Allow her to carry a comfort toy from home if the preschool allows it. If not, tell her that her teacher would prefer her to play with the toys provided by the preschool.
• Do not linger around the preschool premises after you have dropped her. Make the leave taking process short. However, much as it might be tempting, remember not to slip away without telling her.
• Tell her when you will be back to pick her up and stick to it as far as possible.
• If you are making arrangements with a baby sitter to pick up your child from preschool, make sure that your child is comfortable with her even before she joins preschool. It is a good idea for you to pick her up yourself on the first day. Make sure you or the baby sitter reach on time.
• Ask your child about the happenings in the preschool on a daily basis but do not force her into talking about it if she is not interested.
• Read storeis about children attending preschool and the fun they have there. This can make her look forward to going to preschool.
• Encourage your child to be as independent as she can. This makes her confident of performing her tasks by herself in preschool.
• If you find your child upset when you leave her, call up the preschool after about half an hour to find out how she is doing. Often children get attracted to the toys available and start playing with them.
• Praise your child for becoming a big girl and going to preschool like her elder siblings.

Some children who seem to have settled down well at school, start displaying signs of anxiety after the a few days. Rest assured this is normal. She may display traits that she had given up earlier like bed wetting, thumb sucking and increasing dependency on parents. These indicate signs of the stress that she is facing as she is learning to cope with the new experiences. Talk to her and assure her that you will help her to overcome the stress. Spend some special time everyday with your child after preschool and use weekends as a time to do something that she enjoys.