Starting Pre-K is an exciting time for a parent, but you may also be filled with anxiety about how your child will handle this change. You’ve heard that Pre-K can help your child, but you want to make sure they’re ready for it. Luckily, there are a few steps you can take to ensure your child is entering school with confidence and a positive mindset.
Create a New Routine
Set your child up for success by encouraging a steady routine before they enter the classroom. Start with waking up and getting ready at a consistent time. Make sure they have regular snack and nap times to establish a daily routine. This will let them ease into their classroom without too long of an adjustment period.
Help Them Communicate Their Needs
Pre-K is a solo adventure for your child, which means you can’t always be there to help them express themselves. Teach your child to communicate their needs, whether it’s them needing to use the restroom or needing help with a task. This will let them enter the classroom feeling confident that they will be able to be heard by their teachers. By reducing their worries, you can feel better about their new independence.
Establish a Goodbye Ritual
Saying goodbye can be the hardest part of dropping your child off at Pre-K. If you have a goodbye ritual, like a hug, a sign of affection, or even a secret handshake, then it can lower the separation anxiety your child might be feeling. It’s important to establish in this goodbye ritual that you will always come back at the end of each day to pick them up. Send them off with a happy goodbye so they can have a great day of learning.
Stay Positive
Adjusting to the routine of Pre-K can be a long process, so it’s important for you to stay positive throughout. Listen to your child’s feelings about school, and reassure them that everything they are feeling is completely normal. Pre-K should be a fun environment where your child can thrive. Meet them with constant encouragement, love, and understanding to help them make the most out of their early learning years.
Getting your child ready for Pre-K is an important step in their educational journey, and St. Charles Borromeo wants to help your child grow. Our Orlando private school, located in the Catholic Diocese of Orlando, is committed to proclaiming the Gospel Message of Jesus Christ. We believe in teaching the whole child and want students to love learning, helping them grow into well-rounded, contributing members of society. Learn more about us by contacting us here.
