5 Things to get your toddler ready for Preschool or Daycare
Getting Ready
For most parents, staying home full time with your children is not an option. I put my son in to day care at eight weeks old and was lucky to spend a year with my son working from home. But alas the time has come to get him ready for preschool. After being home with me for over a year, with a structure yes, but nothing like day care. A lot of people now a days, whether it be single parents or couples, we just do not always have the luxury anymore.
So I have decided to write a few tips down that helped my younger son get ready for his first day of preschool at 2 years old. Although you may be more worried than they are, with a few steps, you can greatly make the transition easier.
1. Talk to you child about the up coming changes, when they know what is coming next they are less likely to revolt. Also when you have this conversation with them, state it in a matter of fact tone as opposed to an inquiry. More likely than not, this will not be an option to halt, so making it a fact will help them start to deal with it faster. Try to be positive about all the new friends, experiences, things to do.
2. Let him check out the new day care or preschool. Considering most are colorful and full of toys, that right there might win your toddler over to the idea. Let them meet the people who will be watching them, so they will feel less like strangers when the time comes for you to leave. Some day cares my even let you come and observe for a few hours before hand, which can take the strain out of the change as well.
3. Learn the daycares/preschools schedule to acclimate your child's schedule to match. Try to get their body used to their feeding times, naps, etc. This will maybe help their tummies adjust to the new schedule. A hungry tummy is not a happy one.
4. Talk to your daycare employees and see what you can bring from home for your toddler. Most children of a small age still cling to blankets, binkies, stuffed animals. One of these can maybe still some of your child's fears. There is nothing better than to have a place your child actually enjoys to visit each day.
5. Mark the calendar with a bright marker. We have a large wall calendar and each day, my toddler would X off another day closer. We read books about preschool and talked about all the new things he is going to learn. The more enthusiasum you show, they will. This can be a great change for your child, daycares help provide the social skills of managing and interacting in their own age range. The structure will help them get ready for school and society. They can learn so much there and will learn that they can have fun and be safe away from mommy for a time.
