Helpful Tips for Starting Preschool
Starting preschool is a huge milestone for both you and your child. It’s normal to feel a range of emotions, from excitement to nervousness to pure terror. If this is your first time sending your toddler off to school (like me), here are a few tips to make the transition as seamless as possible:
You and your child are about to embark on an important educational journey – don’t take that lightly! You have every right to be picky about where you send your kids to preschool. Decide what matters most and what works best for you – maybe it’s convenience, location, price, hours, educational philosophy, personal connection… there’s no right or wrong answer. Ask around, take tours, meet with teachers and make sure you feel comfortable and excited about where you will be sending your child.
Prepare your child (and yourself!) by talking to them – regularly and in advance – about what to expect when they go to school. Explain how their day will go, that they’ll meet new friends and learn new things. This will help them to understand the experience and give them a chance to ask questions.
Be sure to practice things like zipping up backpacks, putting on coats, and using the bathroom independently. Let them use their lunch box or snack container leading up to the day. Have them change their shoes by themself. Practicing these things will be a help to the teacher and make the day less jarring to your child.
Communicate the schedule, either aloud or visually. We love a calendar in our home to visually display what our daughter can expect. You can, of course, use a wall calendar – but we love these acrylic wall calendars!
And finally, read lots of books about starting school! Some of our favorites are:
If the thought of back-to-school shopping for your preschooler fills you with a mix of excitement and dread – we’ve got you covered.
Tips!
Pack (at least one) change of clothes and shoes. Make sure everything is easy on, easy off so your toddler can handle it independently, and can get dirty, and is easy to run, climb, and play in. I know, I know – some of those cute outfits will have to stay in the closet for now – preschoolers play hard! Make sure to label everything so things don’t get lost or confused!
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Shoes:
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Native Shoes – adorable, waterproof, comfortable.
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Crocs – The easiest on/off for toddlers.
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Hey Folks – Machine washable, comfortable, good for running around.
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Baby Bogs – The best winter boots for kids, hands down.
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Clothes:
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Little Co at Kohls – adorable clothes at a great price.
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JUNE+GREY – love supporting this mom-owned brand and the shirts are the most darling.
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Hanna Andersson – my daughter lives in their skater dresses and they have great sales.
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Cat & Jack – affordable Target line.
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Zara – If your child is an aspiring fashionista.
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H&M – especially great for basics.
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Next – also great for basics and cozy classics.
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Tucker + Tate – just a great Nordstrom line (also at Nordstrom Rack!)
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Backpacks (make sure they’re big enough to pack extra clothes and bring home artwork!)
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State – the most adorable and high quality (with a price tag to prove it). If you’re lucky enough to live by a Target that has one in stock – snag it!
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Walker Family Goods – we love everything about this brand, their Arrow Packs are no different.
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JanSport – always a hit and lots of color options.
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Other Accessories
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Zak water bottles – great designs and no spilling.
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Name Labels – don’t forget to label EVERYTHING.
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Bentgo Lunch Box – the compartments make for fun eating and easy packing.
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GoBe Snack Spinner – the best for snacks.
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First Day/Last Day sign for milestone photos
So, there you have it- a few tips to help your toddler prepare for preschool. Remember that the most important thing is to keep things positive and supportive. It can be hard to say goodbye, but with a little preparation, both you and your child will be ready for an exciting new chapter! What are you doing to prepare for preschool? Leave us a comment below.
