Another school year is almost here, and if you are getting ready to send your little one to preschool at a child care center, you may be apprehensive about the process. However, there’s no reason to be nervous. Below are some top ways to help you and your child adjust to a new routine and ensure a smooth transition. 

3 Simple Tips to Get Ready for Preschool 

1. Talk About the Experience 

Start talking about the subject a couple of weeks ahead of time. Stay positive, relaxed, and factual when you tell them about their child care center and teachers. Explain where their class is located, what happens, and how they will play and learn with other students. Consider visiting the school site or classroom before their first day. If possible, let them meet their new teacher. Involve them in fun, simple activities, like picking out a backpack and lunch bag. You can also explain the experience by reading them books about preschool. 

2. Create a New Schedule 

As summer winds down, establish a routine at home. A schedule will encourage you and your child to arrive at school on time. It will also help them understand structure. Have them wake up and go to bed at the same hour. Create regular rituals, like packing their backpack and picking out their clothes every night.

If your kid has trouble getting up in the morning, help them adjust by purchasing a visual chart. Add tasks like brushing teeth, combing hair, and eating breakfast, so it’s easy for them to understand how they should get ready. Model behavior by sticking to your own daily habits. 

3. Invent a Goodbye Ritual 

Most children have anxiety about separating from their parents. An everyday goodbye routine will help ease the stress on both of you. Invent a confident, simple handshake or saying. By high-fiving or reciting “See you later, alligator,” you will ensure your child knows your departure is risk-free and temporary. 

A friendly, upbeat preschool with a skilled, compassionate teaching staff can also make the change easier on parents and kids. Wolcott View Manor Health & Rehabilitation Center in Connecticut provides a “home away from home” environment for children, so they feel comfortable, happy, and creative each time they go to school. To learn more about the child care center, call (203) 879-8066. For information about the school’s hours and rates, or to explore their nursing home and hospice center, visit their website.