Parents Corner
Blog
New Parents | Schedule a tour today:
786-212-1273
Blog

Easing the Transition: How to Support Your Child’s First Days of Preschool

The beginning of preschool is a very exciting time for children and parents! 
Lots of emotions are involved during this process; joy and excitement but also some separation anxiety and fear of the unknown. Transition to preschool involves adjusting to new routines and expectations, familiarizing with new faces and adapting to a larger environment.
Below are some helpful ideas on how you can support your child during this
very important process:

● Before School

  • Send a family picture that teachers can display in the classroom for the child to look at throughout the day.
  • Have simple conversations about preschool with your child. Talk about activities your child will do and names of teachers and friends your child will get to interact with.
  • Let your child choose what they want to wear or if the private preschool has a uniform, let them choose the color polo they prefer. Key Point Academy Doral offers multiple color polo shirts.
  • Choose and pack a book together for your child to take to school. Make sure to label it with your child’s full name.
  • Spend some quality time together (for example have breakfast or read a book).
  • Play songs in the car that your child may be singing and learning at school. You can ask your teachers via learning genie for the song titles.
  • Establish a morning routine to give children predictability, which helps reduce anxiety.

● During Drop-Off

  • Trust the preschool staff.
  • Say bye with a big hug and lots of confidence (never sneak out without saying bye, this can create lack of trust in your child)
  • If your child begins to cry as you walk away, do not return. Instead, verbally reassure your child that you will return to pick him or her up.
  • Acknowledge and validate their feelings such as saying “I know it’s hard to say goodbye, but you’re going to have a great time, and I’ll be back soon!”
  • Depart with confidence. Children are sensitive to and guide their own behavior and reactions to those of their parents.
  • Call the preschool if you need to know how your child is doing.

● During and After Pick-Up

  • Remove all distractions, focus on greeting your child.
  • Encourage simple dialogues about what he or she did during their day at school.
  • Play songs in the car that your child may be singing and learning at school. You can ask your teachers via learning genie for the song titles.
  • At some point in the afternoon, revisit school experiences together by looking at and talking about the pictures and videos in the learning genie app.
  • Remain in touch with your child’s teachers via email or through the Learning Genie messaging feature.

Keep in mind!

● During transitions, children often become clingier, and this can happen at various times and in different settings, such as bedtime or when they are with their parents in familiar environments. This behavior is normal and part of the adjustment process.
● When you pick up your child, they may start crying. This does not mean that they have been crying all day; it is simply their way of releasing the emotions they have held in, now that they are with you again. It is a healthy response, and as they get used to the new environment and routine, these emotional releases will decrease.
● Each child adjusts at their own pace. Some may take longer to feel comfortable, while others adapt quickly. Your consistency and support will help them through the process.

Related Articles