He's Starting Preschool Soon: Tips I'm Loving (Plus a Few of Our Own)

That’s right. BigBrother is starting preschool. On the 28th of August. Okay, well, that first day is just a short orientation to turn in all of his paperwork, re-meet the teachers and “get acquainted” with one another. He heads off for two and a half hours on September 2nd. He’s excited. I’m nervous. LittleBrother is none the wiser.

I’ve been googling tips to make the transition easier. Actually, I’m not all that worried about BigBrother as of this moment. So far, he’s been nothing but excited. All the same, I’m a Google-hound and have this monstrous list of ideas that I should share with someone!

First, a few of our own:

1. Take your child to That Store That Has Everything But Customer Serivce. Find the baby/toddler/preschool clothes section. In there you will find a small section of toddler/preschool sized backpacks. The big kid backpacks are too big for most first year preschoolers. Trust me. BigBrother looked silly with one on his back. Make a big trip out of it. We went out to dinner first and then hit the store. We talked about the backpack and how that meant he was a big boy and was going to school. We talked about what kind he would like to buy. (Scope out the selection first in case he wants a backpack that doesn’t exist. You can steer the list of selections.) Let your child actively pick out the backpack, explaining that he can only have one and that you can’t return for a new one. Of note: make sure that the zippers work or you’ll be returning to The Store That Has Everything But Customer Service with a broken backpack less than 24 hours after purchase, already having removed the tags because who thinks that a brand new backpack will have a broken zipper in such a short amount of time and, at that point, you’ll get to argue with the non-existent Customer Service. Joyfun! But the kid will have enjoyed himself and that’s what matters. Sometimes. Also, proceed to sing, “Backpack, backpack,” for days on end.

2. Print out a calendar. A warning of sorts: purchasing the backpack will send your child into full “LET’S GO TO SCHOOL TODAY” mode. The calendar is now your friend. Have your child draw on it and decorate it. Put a BIG STAR on the day that he heads off to school. Have him mark off one day each day. Let him mark it off. I know. I’d rather see nice, straight-lined x’s, too. But if he wants to scribble all over that particular day until you can no longer see the original number, let him. Also, this is a good way to work on numbers. “Find the ten! Great job! Ten more days until school!”

Now. Moving on to advice from people who know what they’re talking about.

3. This page has a bunch of little tips from other parents who have been there and done that. Some things that I took away from that page include letting him pick out his outfit the night before, to pay attention to what he’s learning (uh, duh) and to keep my own anxiety in check (uh-oh!). Thankfully, we won’t have any morning drama this year. BigBrother is attending two days a week in the afternoon, just after lunch. As his birthday is a weird fall birthday, he will be going to preschool for three years (despite already knowing his letters and numbers). (Our decisions for this will be shared next week!) So, next year we’ll have morning drama two days a week. And the following year BigBrother will have morning drama three days a week and LittleBrother will have afternoon drama two days a week. I think I am insane.

4. This blog post talks about the importance of routine (which we now know as parents of two children!). In fact, it talks about getting into a routine the week before school. Which would be now. Looks like I’ve got to whip something up!

5.One tip that seems to be reiterated, over and over and over, is to say a quick goodbye. And then leave. No “scooping up” or “rescuing” if the child starts crying. I think this falls into step with not projecting your own anxiety over the separation onto the child in question. I’m going to struggle with this, I can tell you that now. Thankfully for BigBrother, his classroom is on the second floor and I cannot, therefore, stand on my tiptoes and peek in the window. Some of those links did include tips to make a little game about a hug that you practice ahead of time. I think this may be our route. That said, I’m totally prepared for BigBrother to just wave his hand and cast me aside for toys, other kids and fun just as I did to my mother on the first day of kindergarten. This child is so like me that it’s positively scary.

6. Listen to this podcast (just skip ahead to 6:00 because that’s the meat of the discussion). Dr. Bryan Koth talks about the importance of preschool (but doesn’t label it a “must” so don’t freak out). The good stuff about preschool experiences? A love of learning and socialization. BigBrother already loves to learn. But, oh, does he need the socialization. I bet I’ll talk more about this next week when we talk about our decision to start BigBrother in preschool a “year” early. Another favorite of this podcast is talking about separation anxiety. Tips: talk about it, visit ahead of time, read books about going to school and talk to the preschool teacher. He reiterates, like above, not to just dash out. Say your clear goodbye and leave.

7. This whole section at Parents really helped me feel a bit better on my end. In the question and answer segment about the first day, I found out that it’s okay for BigBrother to take his trusty blanket. I also learned that the recent time he’s been spending in the child care at the YMCA have been benefiting him for this transition to preschool. Look! I’m smart and didn’t even know it!

8. Other great tips I read were to make sure a favorite meal was planned on that day. BigBrother will most likely get a supper of pierogies after his first official day in school. And even though it won’t be a Friday, our evening walk will probably involve a trip to the ice cream shoppe at the city park.

9. And, I probably don’t even have to say this to my readers because they all know me but, just in case: make sure your camera battery is charged before the first day of school. You’ll kick yourself otherwise!

Next week, most likely on Tuesday, I’ll be discussing our reasons behind starting BigBrother in school a “year” early. If your child has a fall birthday, you may want to tune in either for future things to consider or to offer your advice. It wasn’t an easy decision for either FireDad or I to make but we’re hopeful that it is the right one for BigBrother at this time. Save your horror stories until next week, please! Until then, leave me a comment about something special that made the transition to preschool easier for your child(ren). I’d love to hear some great ideas!