Helping Your Preschooler Adjust to School

The beginning of the school year is very exciting, but it can also be a very overwhelming time for both preschoolers and their parents.  It is very normal for your child to need some adjustment time to a new school, new friends and new routines.  We are here to help you!

During the first few weeks of school, don’t be disturbed if your child:

• is shy and clings to you.
• is aggressive and won’t share.
• hits and refuses to take turns.
• tires easily and cries a great deal.
• resists using the school bathroom and has accidents.
• doesn’t talk much about what happened at school.

These are all symptoms of adjusting to a new situation and will disappear as your child becomes comfortable with the teachers, other children, and the classroom routines.  Be sympathetic and supportive!

 You can help by:

• letting your child bring in a favorite security object (such as a stuffed animal or blanket) to keep in his/her backpack or cubby for naptime.
• letting your child just stand and watch, knowing observation is one way of participating.
• not putting pressure on your child to produce something to take home.
• not pushing your child to conform to routines without time to adjust.
• allowing lots of morning time for personal routine, a nourishing breakfast, and a pleasant ride to school.
• having a cheerful, positive attitude as your child leaves you, either at home or at school, such as: “Goodbye!  I’ll see you later!”
• encouraging talk about school by asking specific questions, such as, “Did you play with the blocks today?”  Or, “What did you have for snack today?” 

Remember: the more relaxed the parent, the more relaxed the child.

Picture books about the beginning of school can help to lessen apprehensions, and more importantly, can open a channel of communication about school between you and your child.  Here are some books we suggest:

• It Happens To Everyone, by Bernice Myers
• If You Take a Mouse To School, by Laura Numeroff
• Starting School, by Janet and Allan Ahlberg
• The Kissing Hand, by Audrey Penn

No matter how your child responds to school, please be assured that we are prepared for this transition, and we will do everything possible to make it a smooth one.  We are here to nurture and love your child as he/she adjusts to school!  Please feel free to talk to us at any time about how your child is doing and how we can work together to make the transition as smooth as possible!