Parting with your child - First few days at Preschool

First day at preschool is a testing time for child and parent too.While it is an exciting time, it can also be quite stressful for both the child and the parents, so removing first day jitters is a number one priority. It is quite normal that your child will cry for first few days (it can range from 1day to 1month :( )

More than anything else, your own attitude can help your child to overcome her/his fear. Your confidence will increase your child's confidence. Your cheerfulness will help reduce her/his tears. Your fearlessness will help her/his let go of her/his own fears. Your encouragement will heighten her/his sense of competence.

Some tips to parents to prepare your child

-- Make sure visit the school before school starts with your child

-- Meet the class teacher before school starts


-- Shop together to obtain school supplies. A big part of the fun is getting school supplies and this should be a shared experience. Following the supplies list given to you by your school, within the boundaries it gives you can allow your child to select his or her own favorite items to take to school.

-- Let your child know how much you love her/him and will miss her/him while you're away. When you return, praise your child's courage. Tell her/him how proud you are of her/him, how brave she/he was, and again how much you love her/him.

-- Make sure that your first few outings apart from your child are short ones (no more than an hour). This will give your toddler a chance to get used to the idea that you can go away and come back relatively quickly. As your toddler gets more used to the idea—if not more comfortable with it—you can gradually increase the time you stay away


-- Obtain a class schedule. This will allow you to discuss the day's activities with your child in advance. Try and link this with the things that you do everyday so that the child begins to see the connection between daily schedules of things to do and routine that all of us practice.

-- Be supportive but also learn to let go. On the first day, give plenty of hugs and reassurance but also be balanced and let go. If you have done a good job beforehand of emphasizing all the positives of attending school and you have involved your child in all the preparations, this should be an exciting and fun opportunity for your child and he or she should feel more willing to attend. Tell your child you'll be waiting for her or him at day's end and be sure to be on time!