News Herald – Juliann Talkington
Leaving your child at preschool for the first time can be a traumatic event. However, when you have an idea of what to expect and prepare in advance you can make the experience easier for everyone.
Prepare yourself. A nervous parent makes a nervous child. Do your homework. Visit the school. Talk with the staff. Tour the classrooms. Meet the teacher. Check references. Speak with your friends. Research the educational model. Make sure you are completely comfortable that the school is the right choice for you and your child.
This preparation will reduce your anxiety and prepare you for a calm, positive “first day” experience.
Make friends. It is often easier for children to relax in a new situation, if there are familiar faces. Today, many preschools offer orientation and some allow families to share contact information. Orientation is a great way for classmates to interact at the school before class begins. In addition, play dates can help your child make friends before the big day. Leaving your child with a friend is often easier than leaving him/her with a group of strangers.
Establish a routine. Change is difficult, but is often more manageable when it is part of a normal routine. As a result, it is helpful to start the bedtime, wake-up, breakfast, dressing, and out the door process several days before school begins. When the routine is established ahead of time, the only new “first day” activity should be dropping your child at school./span>
Leave quickly. Separation anxiety is generally more severe if you linger, so it is important to prepare yourself ahead of time for the crying and clinging that is likely to occur. Remember preschool teachers have been trained to handle separation anxiety and even though your child seems incredibly upset, the anxiousness normally subsides within a short period of time as long as you leave quickly.
Be punctual. We all get nervous when we think we have been left. It is especially difficult for children, because they have fewer experiences. As a result, it is very important to keep track of time and arrive for pick-up before class is adjourned. If there is an emergency, it is best to alert the school, so the teacher can prepare your child for your late arrival.
Most importantly, relax. Once you and your child make it through the separation transition, the school years are a wonderful time.