How to prepare a child for preschool emotionally

Help your child develop the emotional skills and confidence they need to thrive in their first preschool experience.

1. Start talking about preschool early. Begin conversations about preschool several weeks before the start date. Use positive, simple language like 'You're going to have so much fun learning and playing with new friends.' Read books about starting school together and look at photos of the preschool if available. Keep conversations light and exciting, focusing on the fun activities they'll do like painting, singing, and playing with toys.
2. Practice separation gradually. Help your child get comfortable being away from you by starting with short separations. Leave them with a trusted family member or babysitter for an hour, then gradually increase the time. During these practice separations, always tell your child where you're going and when you'll be back using terms they understand, like 'after snack time' or 'before dinner.' Always follow through on your promises about when you'll return.
3. Build independence skills. Practice daily tasks your child will need at preschool, like washing hands, using the bathroom independently, putting on shoes, and cleaning up toys. Make these practice sessions fun by turning them into games or songs. Praise their efforts, not just their success, saying things like 'I saw you trying so hard to zip your jacket!' This builds confidence in their ability to handle things on their own.
4. Create a comfort strategy. Develop a plan to help your child feel secure during the transition. This might include bringing a small comfort item from home, like a family photo in their backpack or a special bracelet. Practice your goodbye routine at home - keep it short, sweet, and consistent. Teach them that it's okay to feel sad or worried, and give them words to express their feelings like 'I miss Mommy' or 'I feel nervous.'
5. Visit the preschool together. If possible, arrange a visit to the preschool before the first day. Let your child explore the classroom, meet their teacher, and see where they'll play and eat. Point out exciting things like the art supplies, books, or playground equipment. Take photos during the visit that you can look at together at home to keep building positive associations with the school.
6. Establish consistent routines. Start practicing the morning routine you'll use for preschool several days beforehand. This includes wake-up time, getting dressed, eating breakfast, and any other steps in your routine. Consistent routines help children feel secure and know what to expect. Create a simple visual schedule with pictures if your child responds well to visual cues.