Starting preschool is a huge milestone for your little ones. While the idea of learning new things and hanging out with other kids all day can be exciting, your child might also feel nervous. They are probably used to spending the whole day with their mom or dad, which means the idea of six to eight hours without you can cause some big emotions.
When you drop off your child at preschool, you might find that they cry, throw a fit, or display obvious signs of anxiety. You might also feel similar emotions while leaving your child at preschool for the first time. Thankfully, there are ways to make drop-off easier for both you and your child.
First, you should establish a drop-off routine. Sometimes it just takes time and repetition for your kiddo to get used to spending time apart. Other ways to make your child feel more comfortable are validating their feelings, allowing them to bring a comfort item, having a goodbye routine, and asking the teachers to help you with your child’s separation anxiety.
Top 6 Tips for Preschool Drop-Off
School drop-offs can be incredibly difficult, especially in preschool when your little one is just starting to spend time away from you for the first time. While giving them a big hug can help alleviate some of their worries, there are more effective ways to make drop-offs easier on everyone.
Here are 6 tips for making preschool drop-offs run smoothly:
1. Establish a Routine
Having a goodbye ritual can help normalize the idea of time apart for your child. This only works if you make dropping them off at preschool a part of their daily routine. You can add fun or playful rituals in the mix, like sharing inside jokes and comforting words right before you leave them at the school.
2. Validate Feelings
Sometimes your child’s big reactions to being dropped off at preschool can be stressful. You might feel tempted to brush off their emotions, however, this will only further their anxiety. Instead, let them know that their feelings are normal and you understand why they are scared.
Validating your child’s emotions can make a big difference in their willingness to be left at school. Once they know you understand their concerns and you believe everything will be okay, they might feel more comfortable with spending some time apart.
3. Bring a Comfort Item
Does your child have a favorite stuffed animal that they can’t sleep without? Maybe they have a blanket that they have been lugging around since they were a newborn. If so, bringing that item with them to preschool might make them feel more comfortable with your absence.
Comfort items can help your child feel like you are still there with them even when you aren’t. You can make it a big deal by letting them bring the item and telling them that it has magic powers that will help them feel brave during their time in preschool.
4. Model Positive Emotions
Dropping your kiddo off at preschool for the first time can cause you to experience a range of emotions as well. You might feel stressed, worried, or even sad that you won’t be able to spend the whole day with them. While it is okay to feel these emotions, it is best to remain positive in front of your child.
Modeling positive feelings about preschool can motivate your child to think the same way. When they see that mom and dad are excited about school, they might share that sentiment.
5. Ask Teachers for Help
Preschool teachers are familiar with all of the big feelings their students feel when they first start the program. Most kids have the same experience each year, which makes them experts in helping their students feel better.
If your child is having a hard time with drop-off, you should ask one of the teachers for help. They can pay extra attention to your child to make sure they are feeling comforted and ready for the day.
6. Arrive Early
Lastly, arriving early to preschool can help your child get their bearings before the day begins. If you have time, you should aim to be at the school 15 to 20 minutes before the program starts. You can hang out with your child at the drop-off area to let them feel all of their emotions, have a chat, and calm down before they have to enter the classroom.
Doing this will help your child learn to regulate their emotions and ensure that they are ready or prepared for the day before it begins. Instead of spending time calming down during preschool hours, they will have worked through their emotions before class begins.
Get Connected to a Top-Rated Preschool Program
If you are thinking about enrolling your child in a preschool program, you’ve come to the right place. Little Sunshine Preschool is a highly-rated program that emphasizes helping your child feel comfortable with the new demands that the program brings. You will never have to worry that your child will feel alone when they are spending the day at Little Sunshine.
Contact us today to learn more about how to enroll your child in our program.
