| Transition Your Child Successfully on Their First | | | | willing to work with you and come up with a |
| Day of Preschool - 5 Tips | | | | personalized transition plan for your child. |
| The first day of preschool is a day filled with | | | | 4. Get the list of parent's phone numbers from |
| anticipation, excitement and sometimes anxiety | | | | the center director for the preschool program. |
| for children and their parents. These 5 tips from | | | | Schedule a play date at a local park with some of |
| an Early Childhood Professional are to ensure your | | | | your child's new classmates before school starts. |
| child's success on their first day of school. There | | | | Your child will feel more comfortable knowing that |
| are important things parents can do well before | | | | they already have made friends from their new |
| the actual first day of school to set their child up | | | | preschool class. Continue with reading the books |
| for a successful experience: | | | | about school at home. Also draw pictures with |
| 1. Two months before the preschool program | | | | your child pertaining to children taking part in |
| begins, spend time with your child at the library or | | | | preschool activities, for example, friends playing in |
| local bookstore, reading age appropriate books | | | | the sandbox, with blocks, dress-up, etc. Help your |
| about children in a school setting. Focus on talking | | | | child to draw a picture of themselves enjoying |
| about some of the positives in regards to | | | | their first day of school. |
| preschool. For example, showing pictures in the | | | | 5. On the first day of school, feel confident that |
| book of children painting, playing on the play | | | | you have taken several of these background |
| ground, etc. Have an open ended discussion with | | | | steps to ensure your child's success on their first |
| your child about what kids do when they are at | | | | day. Its essential to stay positive and calm. Make |
| school and focus on how wonderful and fun it can | | | | it fun! Allow your child to help pick out his or her |
| be! | | | | outfit that morning. On the drive to school, remind |
| 2. Continue the discussions with your child about | | | | your child about the exciting things they will be |
| school for the next month before the program | | | | doing during their first school day. When dropping |
| begins. Drive them over to the preschool where | | | | off, help the child settle in and put their items in |
| he or she will be attending. See if there is a way | | | | their cubby. Help engage them with an activity or |
| for you to have your child meet the teacher | | | | at a learning center with new friends. Then, tell |
| before the program begins. | | | | them you will see them soon and to have a great |
| 3. Some Early Childhood programs are open to a | | | | day! Tears are normal during the first week of |
| gradual transition process. For example, you may | | | | the transition process. It is better to not linger in |
| go with your child for 45 minutes one day. The | | | | the classroom after saying goodbye because it |
| child may stay for an hour themselves for 2 | | | | gives mixed signals, the Early Childhood Teacher |
| days, then for two hours the next, finally building | | | | will take it from there. |
| up to 1/2 a day. If you suggest this transition | | | | Following the steps above will ensure your child |
| schedule to the center director, they may be | | | | has a successful first day of preschool! |