What to Do Before Your Child Starts Pre-K

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Going to school for the first time is a huge milestone for both you and your child, and it’s important that everyone feels prepared. Let’s look at some ways to help you and your child feel ready for the start of pre-K.

 

Talk to them about starting school

 

Talking to your child and letting them know that they’re about to start pre-K can help prepare them for their new learning environment. Tell them about all the things they’ll do at school, like playing with others, making new friends, listening to songs, and story time. This can help them get excited to start school and know what to expect.

 

Read books about school together

 

There are plenty of books about kids going to school for the first time—and for good reason! Reading books together can help your child understand that school is something everyone does and let them know what to expect. Hearing others’ stories can help them go into their first day feeling more comfortable and confident. 

 

Visit the school 

 

If possible, take your child for a visit to their new school. Seeing where they’ll spend their time can help them feel ready and even take away some of the first-day jitters. Show them around the classroom, playgrounds, and other areas where they’ll learn and play. Some teachers invite students and parents to visit the classroom a few days ahead of time. Meeting their teacher beforehand can allow your child to start the school year with a familiar face.

 

Shop for school supplies and outfits together

 

Shopping for back-to-school supplies and clothing can be a great opportunity to spend time together while helping your child prepare for their first day of school. Let your little one pick out their own backpack, lunchbox, pencils, folders, and other items they may need for class—it will help them feel excited about starting.

 

Talk about feelings

 

School is a new experience for your child, and they might have a lot of feelings about it. They might be worried about being away from you or that they won’t have an easy time making friends. Ask them what they’re excited about and provide a safe space to express doubts and concerns. 

 

Prepare yourself

 

Enrolling your child in school for the first time is a big deal, and it’s okay to have equally big feelings about it. If you’re a stay-at-home parent or work from home, you might miss having them around during the day. You might have mixed emotions about the fact that they’re growing up and starting school. It’s important to check in with yourself and acknowledge these feelings. This can also be a great time to connect with other parents who have children around the same age and talk about your experiences. 

 

Prepare for the future

 

Sending your child to school for the first time can feel sudden—they were just a toddler and now they’re ready to start learning in a classroom. Before you know it, they’ll be off to elementary school, then high school and college. It never hurts to plan for the future, whether that’s saving for college with a 529 Plan, building up your emergency fund, or getting life insurance like whole life insurance to provide financial security should the unexpected happen. 

 

Source: iQuanti