These days, finding a great preschool is a top priority for most parents. After all, the percentage of three- to five-year-olds enrolled in preprimary programs like preschool, nursery school, and kindergarten rose from 59% to 65% between 1990 and 2013. But just because you’ve checked everything off your “things to look for in a preschool” list and enrolled your child in school doesn’t mean that everything will be smooth sailing.
Even if you’ve chosen from the best academic preschool programs in your area, your child may have trouble making the transition from home to school. Sometimes, these transitional troubles are caused by fears your child may be experiencing. Addressing these fears and coming up with solutions can allow your child to feel much more comfortable in school and enjoy all of the preschool education activities available to them. Below are just a couple of the fears your child might have and how you can help your child face them in a not-so-scary way.
Missing You
Both parents and children often experience separation anxiety. This is to be expected. However, there are things you can do to ease this transition and help them feel less homesick. Visits to the facility can be extremely helpful. The more they become accustomed to being there, the more likely they are to feel comfortable and happy once they’re on their own. Once school starts, make sure to keep your routine consistent. This includes maintaining short and sweet goodbyes. One of the things to look for in a preschool is a staff that understands how tough these transitions can be. Enlist help from staff members to engage your child in an activity after you say goodbye to help distract them in a positive way. You can also have your child bring a comforting item (like a small toy, blanket, personal note, or photograph) from home.
Failing to Make Friends
No matter how great your preschool is, your child might be scared that the other children will be mean to them or that they’ll have trouble making new friends. Preparation will be your best friend here, as introducing your child to their teacher ahead of time can help reduce these anxieties immensely. Confide in the teacher or staff member, letting them know of your child’s reservations. The teacher will be able to make your child feel welcome and assure them that the entire staff is on their side. Should your child be worried they won’t be able to make friends, empathy can work well here, as well: let them know that all of the other kids are just as nervous as they are. With especially shy children, giving staff members a heads-up can facilitate new friendships and opportunities for play. A caring staff is one of the top things to look for in a preschool, so they can be a great ally in this case.
It can be tough enough to find a great preprimary program, but it’s not enough to simply enroll your child in a facility that has all the best things to look for in a preschool. You’ll need to be proactive and help your child face their fears in a healthy way. For more back to school tips, look around our blog or contact us today.