Prepare your young child for school

Transitioning to a new school, program or classroom requires adjustment on the part of both the child and the parents. Especially important for the young child is proper social and emotional preparation. The following tips from the National Association for the Education of Young Children, or NAEYC, website (naeyc.org/back-to-school) will help ready your family for the school year:

                •             Visit your local library during a read-aloud time so your child gets used to hearing someone other than Mom, Dad or Grandpa read books aloud in a group setting.

                •             Establish a routine of “early to bed” and “school wake-up time” several weeks before school begins so your child has time to adjust to the new schedule.

                •             Find out about the toileting procedures at the new school or center so you can review them with your child and make sure he or she is comfortable.

                •             Arrange play dates with children who will be in your child’s class. Usually moms or dads go along on these early play dates. Ask the teacher or school for a list of children who will be in your child’s class. 

                •             If there’s a home visit or school visiting day, make sure you and your child participate. If you aren’t able to participate, call the school to arrange for a visit and to meet your child’s teacher.

                •             Make a book at home about the new preschool experience your child is about to begin. Perhaps take photos of the school or of your child in front of school and add text. “This is Sammy at school. This is her favorite T-shirt. This is Mommy picking up Sammy when school is over.”

                •             Let your child pick out a new backpack and together write his or her name on it.

                •             Tell stories about when you were in school and share how you felt about it. Find childhood pictures of yourself and other adults in your child’s life and talk about the photos.

                •             If your child has never before been cared for by someone else, start to leave him or her for short periods of time with friends or relatives. Reinforce the fact that you will return and that he or she is safe with others.

                •             Give your child a personal belonging of yours, like a favorite scarf or bandana, so he or she knows you will come back to get it.

                •             Read books about going to school and saying goodbye, such as:

 “The Kissing Hand” by Audrey Penn

 “David Goes to School” by David Shannon

 “Will I Have a Friend?” by Miriam Cohen

 “First Day of School” by Anne Rockwell

                “Take a Kiss to School” by Angela McAllister

 “It’s Time for Preschool” by Esme Raj Codell

                •             Select a special object from home that your child can take to school, such as a lunchbox, a book to share or a small pillow for rest time.

                •             Remember that separation is a process. Expect that your child (and perhaps you) will need time to feel comfortable in this new situation.

EDITOR’S NOTE: The David C. Isenberg Family Early Childhood Center, in the Dwares Jewish Community Center, in Providence, recently earned its five-year reaccreditation through NAEYC. The school is accepting applications for the 2016-2017 year for children ages 3 months to 5 years. Waitlist spots are available for 2015-2016.