• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Because dads don’t always think like moms™

  • Dad
    • Celebrities
    • Gay Dads
    • Sex
    • Single Dads
  • Pregnancy
    • Labor or Delivery
    • Pregnant Wife
  • Baby
    • Baby Naming
    • Feeding
    • Sleep
    • Toilet Training
  • Kids
  • Teens
  • Activities
    • Local
    • By Age
    • Movie Reviews
    • Celebrations
  • Toys
    • We Recommend
    • Toys
  • Coaching for Dads
  • Great Dad Talks Podcast

Starting School: Preparing for the Big Day

September 13, 2007 by GreatDad Writers Leave a Comment

Your preschooler is entering the first and biggest transition in his/her little life. Preschools across the country handle the separation of children from their parents in myriad ways. Regardless of your school’s particular approach, there are very concrete, helpful things you can do as parents with your little one to make this transition an easier one. It is important to start early (though not too early!) in preparing your preschooler for their first day of school.

Know and describe what a “typical day in the life” looks like. If your school does not have a pre-entry meeting with parents, call/visit the school so that you know what a “typical day in the life” looks like and talk through concretely with your child what it is they will be doing each day to build a sense of excitement and to lessen anxiety. Some schools allow you to bring your preschooler there ahead of time. That is a wonderful way for them to start to understand this new place to which they will be going.

Don’t make it a surprise. Start talking to your child about heading off to preschool about a week before his/her first day; you don’t want to spring this new experience upon them the night before, but you also don’t want to start talking about it too far in advance.

 

Read books that explore going to school. There are some wonderfully written and beautifully illustrated books that help your little one understand that school is a natural process and that even though Mommy or Daddy may not be there, their love still is. One of our favorite ones is The Kissing Hand. One word of warning, have tissues near by!

Talk about being apart, but most importantly talk concretely about your coming back. One of the biggest challenges for children is not in understanding that parents will leave, but that they will, in fact, come back. Again, if you are able to tell a child when in the day you will return that will be very helpful (e.g. after circle time, just after lunch, etc.).

 

 – Our Friends at SavvySource.com

 

Also read:

Starting School: The First Day

Starting School: The First Few Weeks

Filed Under: Kids

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
SIGN-UP TODAY to receive the only baby newsletter written by dads, for dads. Act now and receive a free copy of the popular GreatDad E-Book!
My baby's due date or birthday :
Profile picture
Privacy Policy and Terms
Baby Name Finder!

what's in a name

  • Show names for:
  • Boys
  • Girls
  • Either
Finding a name you can both agree on isn't always easy. Use our simple name generator to get started.
First Letter
Last Letter
Number of Letters
Origin
Find a name!

More to See

family under a cardboard

Over 40? The Five Types of Insurance You Should Have

October 22, 2022 By Contributing Authors

A Dad’s Guide to Bonding with Your Kids Through Computer Games

May 5, 2022 By Contributing Authors

Tags

529 Plan budgeting for teens college savings compromise dad dads Father's Day fatherhood friendship in-laws love marriage Movie Review parenting advice parenting skills prepaid cards ritual Sundays travel vacation

Footer

Hi mom!

Would you like to share this site with your husband or a friend?

Just enter his email address and your name below and we'll let him know all about GreatDad.com.

His email address
Your Name

Recent

  • Special Clarity session – $25
  • Over 40? The Five Types of Insurance You Should Have
  • A Dad’s Guide to Bonding with Your Kids Through Computer Games
  • 5 Ways to Prepare Your Child for a Surgical Procedure
  • How to get kids excited about dental hygiene

Search

Tags

529 Plan budgeting for teens college savings compromise dad dads Father's Day fatherhood friendship in-laws love marriage Movie Review parenting advice parenting skills prepaid cards ritual Sundays travel vacation

Copyright © 2023 . GreatDad