Thinking about getting your child back into preschool? Here are some things that you can do to help your child adjust to preschool.
Be Patient – With Your Child and Yourself
Readjusting to preschool may not be easy. In fact, it may be a tough adjustment for both you and your preschooler. You both may feel some separation anxiety after having been in the same space for so long. That’s okay.
Acknowledge both your emotions and your child’s emotions, and accept that you’ll both need some time to get back into the swing of things. Give yourselves the time you need to adjust and have patience. If it helps, remind yourself that other parents and children are going through the same thing as you and your child.
Also, keep in mind that a good preschool teacher will understand that this is an adjustment, so they should have lots of patience, too.
Keep It A Routine
When you get your child back into preschool, try to stick with a routine as much as possible. Instead of choosing a sporadic drop-off daycare center, choose a school that your child can attend at least a few days per week.
This way, your child can develop a routine. After the first few days at preschool, your child will know what to expect. School will start to feel familiar. Children crave familiarity and routine, so the more you stick with your child’s new schedule, the better.
Talk to Your Child’s Teacher
When your child starts preschool again, communicate with your child’s teacher. You can mention some of your concerns to the teacher, and the teacher can let you know how your child handles preschool after you leave.
Communication can go a long way towards easing your own anxieties, and you can use the information you glean to help your child during the adjustment period.
Choose the Right Preschool
Some parents have to help their children adjust to preschool in the first place. Others have to help them readjust. In other words, this may be your child’s first experience with preschool. Or maybe you’re choosing a new childcare center. Either way, you can make this process easier for your child by choosing the right preschool.
First of all, make sure that it’s an actual school and not just a daycare center. At a real preschool, your child will get the brain stimulation that they need, which can take their focus off of their separation anxiety.
You should also look for a place with caring, understanding teachers. Again, a good preschool teacher should understand that your child is going through an adjustment period.
Next, look for a school with strict health and safety standards. In light of COVID-19, safety and sanitization matter more than ever. When you know that your child is in a safe and healthy place, you can put some of your own fears aside, which can help your child to stay calm, too.
Legacy Academy
Looking for a preschool program for your child? Legacy Academy provides a great opportunity for children to learn, play, and develop their social skills. We offer programs for every season, and we adhere to the highest safety standards. Contact us today if you have any questions.
