My 4 year old is attending preschool away from home for the first time this year and he's been pretty nervous about it. I've been really lucky because my neighbor runs a preschool program in her home and she has been great about helping my son to feel more comfortable. He's visited with her several times and that has gone a long way in getting him excited to start preschool.
What are you doing to prepare your child to go to preschool?
Taking your child to the library to pick out "the 1st day of school" books to read is always good. The book stores should also be filled with them now. The Berenstain Bears series has a really good one!
Another good idea is to have him color/draw some pictures ahead of time that he can bring with him the first day (hopefully they can hang them up), so that he feels he is contributing to his new environment.
Have him put together a new school box with his own school supplies- this can be as simple as a new box of crayons, safety scissors (if ready), plastic ruler, kleenex, picture of his family, little notepad, etc, etc.
Can he bring a special treat for the group's snack time that he has helped to prepare?
How about making some playdough with him and then bringing it to play with at his new preschool (check ahead with the Teacher).
The transition will tug at your heartstrings, but don't let him know it! Have fun!
Smiles,
Pam in Seattle
My son went to preschool for the first time last year. I was afraid he'd be nervous and not want me to leave on the first day. (When we took a tour of the school earlier in the year, he was very shy and held onto me.) But, he LOVED it! After the first day, he couldn't wait to go back. Preschool is a very welcoming place. Now he starts Kindergarten in two weeks, and I'm hoping that transistion is just as easy!
I don't think there's much you can do to prepare them for it. I think they just have to do it. One thing that I think does help, is being involved in other groups--mom's groups, childcare at church, etc.--where you leave them for a few hours in childcare or a class. Then the concept isn't so foreign to them.
Also, our preschool said definitely no long goodbyes on the first day. It's best to make it quick, like ripping off a bandaid!