I know I am not the only one who can hardly believe the “back to school” season is already knocking on our door. While you may still have a couple of weeks of slow mornings, pool days, and firefly nights, the “Welcome to School” emails and shopping sections decorated with pencils and backpacks overtaking all of our favorite stores make it hard to ignore that summer is slowly ending. As the parent of a preschooler, you might be entering the “back to school” season with your child for the first time. Or, maybe your child (and you) had a tough time adjusting to preschool last year, and you are determined to do the prep work to make things go smoother this time. As a former preschool teacher, I want to assure you that despite feelings of anxiousness or worry about your child adjusting to their new school routine, they (and you) will do just fine and even thrive in their new environment. I am excited to share FIVE tips you can implement now to support everyone in the family for the start of preschool!
1. Practice Independence – “I can do it myself!”
As my 3-year-old often reminds me, preschoolers can do quite a lot independently. As a mom, I know it’s easy to underestimate just how independent they can be and making space for independence can be tricky in the hustle and bustle of busy schedules. However, it’s important to remember that at school, your child is part of a group of children and not one-on-one with an adult as they may be at home. Independence is also going to be encouraged by your child’s teachers because they know that promoting independence in your preschooler develops their self-esteem and provides them with a strong sense of self-worth. We all want confident kids, right?! Practicing independence at home is terrific for any season but can be especially helpful in the weeks leading up to preschool. Let your child practice dressing themselves and putting their shoes on by themselves. Guide them to be self-sufficient during potty time and with hygiene tasks like washing their hands. Let them practice serving themselves food, packing their backpack (or pool bag if you are still in denial that summer is ending), and be a part of cleaning up toys. These tasks will likely be encouraged at school, so let them get ahead of the game and start working on them now.
2. School supplies!
Your child’s preschool may have provided you with a “school supply” list or some ideas for items to bring with your child on their first day. While many of these lists probably look similar, I can promise that not all school supplies are created equal for preschool-aged children. As you buy items for your child to take to school, you want to keep that independence factor I mentioned above in mind. Here are just a few things that are tried and true and helpful:
- Shoes: When picking out shoes for your child, stick with shoes they can put on themselves that are comfortable/safe for running, climbing, and playing. Closed-toe gym shoes with velcro like these or slip-ons are the best. Rubber boots are great for rainy days; however, ensure your child can walk comfortably and safely in them. I love this light and comfortable option.
- Clothes (and extra clothes): Many want our kids to dress nicely and look adorable in those first-day-of-school photos. However, remember that at school, your child will be encouraged to use the potty as independently as possible and will likely be engaging in some exciting and messy play. I’m a sucker for a cute romper, fancy back-to-school dress, or adorable chino shorts with tricky buttons, but I can assure you preschool is not the place for these hard to maneuver fashion statements. Dress your child in clothes they can easily navigate in the bathroom and that are “mess” friendly. Cotton or mesh athletic shorts, cotton dresses (without tights), and t-shirts get the thumbs up. After all, a messy child is the sign of a fun day, filled with lots of learning! Also, don’t forget to pack an extra set of clothes, underwear, socks, and shoes. Potty accidents are more likely in the first week or two of school as children practice new routines and are distracted by fun, exciting, and purposeful play with new classmates. I love these bags for many things, but especially for packing extra clothes in your child’s school bag!
- School bag – When choosing a school bag for your preschooler, make sure you find something with accessibility is key. You want it to hold everything they need but be proportional to your child’s body. I love this option because you can pack a lot in, but the zipper around the top is kid-friendly, and the size is right! This option is also great because it comes in different sizes and has matching lunch boxes if your preschooler needs one. If zippers are tricky for your little one, an open-top option like this can be a great solution! Whatever option you choose, let your child be a part of picking out the colors/characters so they are excited to put it on every school day!
- Odds and ends: A couple more items I love include this water bottle (which is truly spill-proof), this bento snack box for school snacks, and this sunscreen stick for quick applications on your way out the door. Finally, don’t forget to label everything! These sticker labels are affordable and perfect for sticking on everything from jackets to water bottles, and your child’s teacher will thank you!
3. Get back on a schedule!
My household has been pretty lackadaisical about our schedule this summer. Late bedtimes, sleeping in, and snacking at all hours of the day are what summer is all about! However, to soften the blow, we are slowly beginning to work towards earlier bedtimes and wake-up calls, as well as a more consistent meal schedule so we aren’t all tired and hungry that first week back to school. Don’t worry, I have a way to make this more purposeful and fun! The week before school, everyone wakes up and practices getting dressed and out the door for school. Once everyone has reached the car, drive and get donuts or smoothies and take them to the park for a breakfast picnic. Your child will think this is so neat, and you will make some sweet, end-of-the-summer memories too!
4. Begin the conversation
The week or two before school (and not earlier than that), begin talking to your preschooler about their new adventure ahead. Tell them about their teacher, drive by the school and point it out to them, maybe even visit the playground an evening or two if this is allowed by the school. Hopefully, your child has an opportunity to visit their classroom and teacher before school starts. Last year, I took pictures on meet-the-teacher day of some things like my son’s cubby, pictures of him playing in different areas of his classroom, his teachers, and where he would wash his hands/check-in every morning. We even got a picture of the potty! I put them in a tiny photo album to review and talk through the week before school started. The unexpected but extraordinary part about this was that he also continued to enjoy this book throughout the school year! It became a fun talking point for him to share with other people like grandparents and cousins, and it was neat to see how the conversation evolved throughout the school year as he gained new experiences and made memories there to share with us all.
5. Get excited and expect a transition period
Dropping a child off at preschool is a huge milestone for most parents and children. Maybe this is your first time leaving your child with someone new or your child’s first experience in a group setting. It would be silly not to expect big emotions from your child and yourself. Feel all the feelings and acknowledge them. Talk to your child when you see or hear about them from your child. Are you both especially anxious about dropping them off? As hard as it may be, do your best to set a clear expectation about how drop-off will go for your child on the drive to school. You may decide on one kiss and a high five, or let them know you will help them use the potty in their classroom once and then you will be leaving and that you will be there to pick them up when school ends. Whatever routine you and your little one decide on, stick to it, even if there are some big feelings when the time comes. Long, drawn out drop-offs or lingering around because your child is upset will only make the process trickier for them and you. As a teacher, I can PROMISE that they will likely be fine within minutes and that drop-offs will get easier and quicker if your little one knows what to expect and knows you will follow through with the plan.
Finally, reading books about the feelings your child may have about the start of school is a great way to validate and support them. Below are a couple of my favorites:
Congratulations on the start of school and I wish you and your child a school year filled with new experiences, milestones and lots of memories!
By Kathleen Koester & Becca Thiemann
