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Preparing for Preschool

Preschool is an exciting time for a parent and a child.  There are a lot of emotions around this new adventure for your child!  Chances are your child is experiencing some of those same emotions. 

In the weeks before school starts, help your child prepare for the first big day!

  1. Pretend Play – Practice routines like pulling on his/her backpack, zipping backpack, getting dressed and walking to the bus stop
  2. Talk About School – making friends, singing songs, reading stories.Reassure your child they will be safe and cared for and you will see them when they return home.
  3. Create a Good Bye Routine – Kiss your child’s hand for them to keep with them all day, sing a special good bye song, give your child a high five as they get on the bus.
  4. Start a Bedtime Routine – read books as part of the routine to settle your child in for the night.
  5. Prepare your Child for Riding the Bus – discuss staying in their seat, talking with their friends, listening to the bus driver, walking to the stop and into their classroom.

Resources

Video:

PBS Kids - Let’s Ride the Bus! 

Sesame Street: Murray’s First Day of Preschool 

This is the Way We Go to School

 

Books about going to school:

School Bus by Donald Crews
The Little School Bus by Carol Roth
Pete the Cat: The Wheels on the Bus by James Dean
Manners on the School Bus by Amanda Doering Tourville
Preschool Day Hooray!  By Linda Leopold Strauss
Froggy Goes to School by Jonathan London
My First Day at Nursery School by Becky Edwards
Maisy Goes to Preschool by Lucy Cousins
I Love You All Day Long by Francesca Rusackas
Going to School by Anne Civardi
Friends at School by Rochelle Bunnett
My Teacher’s My Friend by P.K. Hallinan
The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn
The Night Before Preschool by Natasha Wing
Rosie Goes to Preschool by Karen Katz
What to Expect at Preschool by Heidi Murkoff