Getting Through the First Few Weeks of Preschool

During the first few weeks of preschool, 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 tension and stress in a new situation and will disappear as your child becomes familiar with their teachers, other children and classroom routines. Be sympathetic and supportive!

You can help your child adjust to preschool by:

…letting your child bring in a favorite security object.
…letting your child just stand and watch. 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 time for personal routine, a nourishing breakfast, and a pleasant ride to school.
…having a cheerful, positive attitude as the child leaves you, either at home or at school. (“Goodbye, I’ll see you later!”)
…encouraging talk about preschool by asking specific questions, such as: “Did you play with the _____ today?” or “What was for snack today?” rather than “What did you do today?”

Remember the more relaxed the parent is, the more relaxed the child will be at preschool.

Immunization Requirements for Preschool

Know the age, vaccine and total dose before you start preschool.