How Do I Prepare My Young Child for School?
It can be such an exciting step to send your child to school for the first time! If you know your child has developmental differences, you may also have some worry. How do you make sure your child is ready? What can do you prepare your child? Here are some considerations below…
Prepare for Structure, Routine and Rules
The preschool day will include predictable routines and expectations. In the months before school starts (if you don’t have one already), create a schedule for your child at home that also follows a predictable routine. Look for opportunities during home routines to talk with your child about the school day. Think about the sequence of how the day might unfold. Be sure to break things down into smaller steps as appropriate to make them manageable:
Arrival at school:
- Saying hello to both unfamiliar and familiar people
- Taking off their own coat
- Placing their belongings in a cubby
- Using the restroom
- Cleaning their hands
- Saying goodbye and separating from family
Group play and learning activities:
- How to join a group activity (e.g., “Hi, my name is…”, “Can I play with you?”)
- Sharing, taking turns, being kind (e.g., “It’s your turn”, or “Can I have a turn?”)
- Asking an adult for help
- Labeling and talking about emotions (i.e., keep it simple: happy, sad, mad, nervous)
- Sitting still when needed (e.g., or standing without disrupting if sitting is hard)
- Listening and following directions
- Transitioning between activities (does your child need a warning?)
- Cleaning up materials (where do things go?; everything should have a place…)
Naptime (if relevant)
- Taking shoes off (and on)
- Staying on their mat/cot
- Staying quiet and not disrupting others
- Falling asleep independently
- Self-soothing (need a lovey or blanket?)
Snacks or Lunchtime (if relevant)
- Opening lunch containers/packages independently (or asking for help)
- Eating independently
- Cleaning up
- Table manners
Close of the day
- Cleaning up activities
- Collecting your belongings for home
- Putting on your coat
- Saying goodbye
In the months before school starts, integrate play-based activities related to the school transition.
Here are a few ideas:
- If available, visit the playground of your child’s new school (before school starts) and bring friends to build familiar and fun memories
- Visit the local library to borrow books about “young children starting school” – there are tons of them!
- Use imaginary play to act out school activities at home (i.e., take turns being the teacher or student).
- Watch videos or children’s programs about “social rules for young children”. Try a google search online.
- Schedule play groups with similar aged peers in new settings to give your child group learning opportunities.
If your child has a medical condition or developmental differences, be sure to fully explain these to the school staff. Plan for any daytime medications and pack an extra set of clothes in case they get dirty/wet. If you have strategies that are helpful, explain those regarding challenges with self-regulation or “big emotions” that might show up at school.
Before the first day…. Your child should tour the school with you and meet the teachers. Before you tour the school, you might even look at photos on their website if available. For the first days of school, let your child select their own school bag and lunch box. They should pick out their favorite clothes and a special snack (if appropriate) to pack. If you know your child struggles with buttons, zippers, or certain shoes fasteners, select clothing items that they can put on and off independently.
Try to plan for any separation anxiety if you know it may occur. Sometimes a transition object can be helpful (e.g., stuffed toy, picture of family). Make the goodbye as short as possible. Show your child with your face and body language that you know they are okay (despite all those tears), and you are happy and proud of their independence. If you show worry and anxiety, your child will notice it. Remind them when you’ll see them next (at pick up, after lunch, at home, etc). If your child openly expresses worries or fearfulness about school, allow them to share and provide lots of reassurance. You might also bring this into pretend play with figurines and stuffed toys. For example, create imaginary play where a stuffed bear talks with daddy bear about his worries, daddy gives a hug and reassures him, then he goes to school with his worries but still can still successfully separate for a great day at school.
If you suspect or know your child has developmental differences, preschool is a great time to get your child’s first neurodevelopmental evaluation. Knowing your child’s strengths and weaknesses, along with how to advocate for their needs is essential. It can be much easier to get school supports and services for a child when they are young, and it also ensures that we don’t wait until problems arise. Reach out for a FREE consult to learn more about how we could support your young child: [email protected]
