by Marlene Gundlach

Created on: May 30, 2008

When parents would schedule tours at my preschool prior to enrolling their child, I always encouraged them to bring their child along with them. This would allow the child to get an idea of what types of things went on at school. Up to that point, school was just a mystical word to them, probably the carrot dangled in front of them as an incentive to potty train. The parents also have some unrealistic expectations of what happens within a typical day at preschool. Some parents were surprised that their child would take away toys from students in the room or would not sit through our story during circle time. The more knowledge I could pass along about how our day worked and what we expected from our students, the easier the transition would be once the child was enrolled.

Parents would come in and immediately be worried about the academic side of preschool. Their questions would focus on what their child needed to know before entering school in the fall. Mostly, their child needs to focus on following directions and getting along with their new classmates. Maybe the child still takes an afternoon nap. Then, that child would be best served by a morning session of preschool. If a child tends to sleep in, then an afternoon session is best. By not upsetting their daily routine too drastically, parents can do a better job of setting their child up to succeed. Giving issues like this some thought before enrollment can help make that transition to school easier.

There is always at least one crier in every preschool room! The key for that parent is not to let your child see you upset. Easier said than done. My child cried every day for about two weeks during one stretch. I saved my tears for the car ride home. If your child is having difficulty staying at school, you must do the hard thing....leave them at the door with a quick kiss and walk away. One other trick that I learned from a children's book is to kiss their hand so that they can save it for later when they need it most. It will tear your heart out, but that will give them the confidence in the long run to stay. Do not come into the classroom and promise to stay. Do not take your child home because he starts to cry. These both set a precedent that will set your child up for failure. Let your child see that you are confident that they will have a good day and you will help them overcome their fears.

The key is preparation. Prepare your child for what is to come. Prepare yourself for a few tears. Know all along that this is the first in many difficult things you will have to endure as a parent. It is also one of the most amazing experiences as you see your child venture off to school to experience new things and make new friends.

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