How do get your almost preschooler ready for school? how do i deal with her going?

Brooke - posted on 02/28/2011

Hi Ashley,
As a mumma to a 5 year old girl, i had to deal with this just a few weeks ago with her starting for the first time. She had never been to day care and barely away from me i was horrified at the thought of leaving her! But i knew she was "ready" we had practised the alphbet together on a chart so she knew her letters, numbers etc, i made sure i spoke about how school worked with lunch breaks and toilets. We also practised writing her name well before school started as this is a big thing. As i worked in child care prior to having my girl there are many ways you can make learning fun..with puzzles, games like snap etc with home made alphabet cards, paint letters and decorate them one for each day maybe there name? these look lovely displayed after too!
The first day is a major step i spent the night before in tears and the morning before but i was determined not to cry at school in front of her! Deep breathing and big sunglasses work a treat! lol. Be positive about the whole experience even if your not 100% inside! Dont let her hear you say to anyone your upset about her going etc cuz this all reflects on them too. After a few days it is really fun to drop them off they love meeting new friends, and in the afternoon seeing there happy faces running out to you is priceless. Hearing about the day they had really eases your worries. And yes routine is great the less stressed/rushed you are means more time to concentrate on your little one! Good luck to you!!

Deanna - posted on 02/28/2011

I don't. I get up, my kids get dressed & ready for the day while I make breakfast. My youngest is 3. They brush their hair and clean up any mess they made before 7am. ( i refuse to get up before then so they play in their rooms.) I turn on music all through cooking, morning routine, and breakfast. We converse at breakfast and talk about science, or history. I go over what I want out of them in those subjects for the day. We clean up, and get out the school books. ALL of my girls do grammar or writing depending on age and then math. We break for lunch and do science and history after lunch. We always get art included with one of the other subjects. Home economics, safety class, music, and P.E. are done constantly too. Like they have to jump to go get the next subject, and crawl back or whatever.

Our biggest thing that makes all of this work is routine. Start getting into a routine. If you can't seem to get into one the do things that will help you out. Like your child picks out their clothes for the next day and leaves them on top of the bed or dresser with the hair brush. Put a pair of socks in the shoes. Books, diaper bags, lunches, etc. can all be made the night before and set by the door or in the fridge for the next day. etc. Routine. Honest. It works.

Ashley - posted on 02/28/2011

thank you all so much My daughter goes to daycare full time.. its the fact i guess that she is growing up and it hard for me to take seeing she is my only child.. school is a big step for her and me..

Anne - posted on 02/28/2011

Ashley, you don't cry in front of her, but you bawl your eyes out once she's out of sight :) Getting your daughter used to being away from mom, and you used to it too, is important - Suri is spot on with her method!
I found preschool worksheets helped my little one get used the idea of sitting and 'learning', focusing on one task at a time and helped her feel confident in her abilities heading into preschool. I used the David Dolphin worksheets available from http://www.worksheetsforpreschool.com but there are tons out there!

Good luck - let us know how it goes!

Ashley - posted on 02/12/2011

Thank you Suri.. i want to cry just thinking about her getting on the bus on her first day of school.. How do I not cry?

Suri - posted on 02/09/2011

Hi Ashley! I remember when my oldest started school (he's in kindergarten now). I had a round robin playgroup for him with two other moms, so he was away from the house two mornings a week. It got him used to structure, socializing, and being away from home. His two friends were in school with him the next year so it made the transition very smooth. Another thing I did was to get him used to taking turns with toys. He would be playing and I would ask for a turn with his toy, so he learned how to share. I was teary eyed his first day; I wrote him a letter that I'll let him read when he's much older telling him how proud I am and how I missed having him around. He loves school and being with his friends, and I'm sure your daughter will, too!