How to Prepare a Toddler for the First Day of Preschool

Posted by bencopper on January 28th, 2021

Learning is an adventure. The journey of every child begins when he/she enters school for the first time. The environment of school is entirely different from that of our home. Because children have never seen a school before, it becomes difficult for some to adjust to the school environment on the first day. Due to this, many parents face challenges when they start searching for a "full-time preschool near me." The biggest challenge for many parents is getting their toddlers ready for the first day of school. This article will be helpful for such parents.

Focus on Familiarity

Childcare for infants and toddlers is where a toddler can see other children listening to storytime, playing with one another, constructing different things with building blocks, etc. When you search for "childcare for infants and toddlers near me," keep one thing in mind that the center's environment should be familiar to your toddler. By the word familiarity, we mean the environment in which your toddler can adjust easily.

Once enrolled, try to arrange a visit with your toddler before the first day of his school. This lets him/her meet with the teachers and children in the school. Tell your child that he will be dropped at and picked up from the school daily in an age-appropriate language. It will be beneficial for your child to tell him how the first day of his/her school will be.

You can also ask the daycare center whether your toddler can bring his/her favorite stuff like animal toys or family pictures or not. Some daycare facilities can allow toddlers to bring their favorite stuff.

Day 1 Arrives

Young children can feel more comfortable in a stress-free environment. One factor that plays a role in keeping your toddler free of stress is their clothes. Therefore, on the first day of their full-time preschool, it is better to allow your toddler to select an outfit of his choice from a couple of options. Also, ask him about what he prefers to eat for breakfast. You can pack the same food in his lunch if the preschool does not provide a meal facility.

In the morning, make sure that you and your child wake early to avoid the last-minute rush. To make it fun, you can also tell a short story to your toddler, but it will be better if the story is related to your kid's first day.

When dropping your kid at the childcare for infants and toddlers, give him/her a hug to make them feel secure at the center throughout the day in your absence. Also, assure your toddler that the teachers at the daycare center looks after him/her.

When you pick up your toddler, ask him about the activities he performed in the school. He/she is interested in telling some stories about the day. Do not try to ignore your kid while he is telling you the story about his school activities.