There may be a lot of different feelings going through your mind as your child starts preschool. You probably can’t wait to see your child have fun and meet new people. You might also feel a little sad that your baby is leaving you for the outdoors without you. It’s normal to feel this way. Your child is probably feeling many different things about this change as well. They may be happy to be a big kid but also be scared about being away from you and starting something new.
You can prepare for the big day in the weeks leading up to it by doing a lot of things. But attempt to remain understated. Your child can get more anxious than thrilled if you make excessive fuss out of this accomplishment.
These ideas will help kids prepare for preschool at any Potomac child care center.
A couple weeks before preschool starts, you want to make sure to purchase a backpack for your child. Let your child pick it out if you can. This helps them feel like they are in charge of something. It also makes them feel like a “big kid” starting preschool.
Put your child’s and caregiver’s names in permanent ink on everything: backpack, jacket, shoes, blanket, teddy bear, etc. If your child needs to take medicine daily, please inform the preschool health worker. For your child to get medicine at school, you must follow certain rules and fill out certain forms.
Plan how your kid will get to and from child care in Potomac, MD. Talk to your child about what they will do in the morning and afternoon so they know they will be safe, cared for, and accepted. Start following your kid’s “school bedtime.” As the summer months and longer days begin, kids often stay up later. To help your child get used to preschool, start following his school bedtime about two weeks before the start of the school year.
The night before your child starts preschool, make sure you take the time to answer any questions they might have. Even if these last-minute questions are happening as you tuck them in for the night, before they get into bed, allow them to pick what clothes they want to wear on their big day, within reason though you want it to be appropriate for the weather and preschool. Most importantly, make sure your child gets to bed on time.
You can stay with your child at preschool for a short time during the day in the beginning. Talk to the preschool teacher and come up with a plan that works for everyone.
Tell your child how long you’ll be there ahead of time so they’re not shocked when you leave.
Routines can help your child feel safe and comfortable when many new things happen. Set up a morning schedule for preschool. For example, wake up, eat breakfast, brush teeth, get dressed, put on sunscreen, pack a lunchbox, and leave. You could even use pictures to make a chart that shows the different steps in your practice.
Tell your child you’ll pick them up at the end of the day and say goodbye. But don’t leave them alone without saying goodbye. Sneaking out never works well. If your child is nervous, you can create a goodbye routine where they wave from a specific spot while you leave.
It’s easy to quickly comfort your child and move on, but it’s important to let them know you heard what they were saying. No matter how big or small, a child’s fears about preschool can greatly affect how they feel about it. Are you going to remember to get them in the afternoon? Is their caregiver going to be nice?
Your kid should know feeling happy, sad, scared, or worried is okay. Tell them that tons of people feel scared when they start something new. Tell them about when you started something new and how you felt about it. You can help your child figure out how to deal with their fears if you let them talk about them. For instance, if they are worried about missing you, you could make them a book of family pictures they can keep in their cubby and look at when they feel alone.
If your child refuses to go to preschool anymore or, in some cases, an after school program in Potomac, MD, here are some things to check for:
It’s natural for a parent to be worried or concerned when their kids first start preschool. After all, you have spent the last few years caring for them, and now you are entrusting their care to somebody else. It can be a hard thing to deal with. However, if you show them, your child will pick up on your worries about preschool. Your child will believe they can do well in preschool if you show them that you do. Talking to the preschool teachers can help if you are worried. They can tell you how your kid is doing. Talking to other parents can also be helpful.
MCCA has been recognized by the Maryland State Legislature for its commitment to Montgomery County issued a quality programs and special needs child care Proclamation in 2016 to MCCA for its commitment to Montgomery County child care for more than 50 years. MCCA was also selected as a 2018 nonprofit finalist for a MOXIE Award for boldness and innovation
MCCA is the oldest nonprofit licensed child care provider in Montgomery County and started its work in 1968 as a Community Action Project of the War on Poverty. Recognizing the need for quality child care programs in their neighborhoods, a group of local activists formed an association to establish centers in Montgomery County that would serve a diverse population and establish high standards for child care. Now, more than 50 years later, MCCA’s dedicated and expertly trained staff continue their tradition of providing high quality child care and play-based education for children.
Families with school aged children who can afford their child care expenses during the school year often struggle to afford the all-day programs they need when school is out for the summer. The Richard Krampf Summer Adventures Scholarship Fund was established to help provide children a safe and stimulating place to spend their weeks when school is out. Please contact an MCCA Director for details on how to apply.