Are YOU Ready for Preschool?
Brace yourself with these tips from a veteran teacher


By Lana Button


You survived a nine-month pregnancy, 20 hours of labour, years of no sleep and toddler tantrums. So…the start of preschool? You can handle it.

You’ve prepared your child by talking up all the excitement waiting for him; his new dinosaur knapsack is packed. But what about you? How will it feel when your job, as a parent, is to walk away for the first time?

As a preschool teacher, I’ve witnessed more than 18 years of dramatic farewell scenes: shell-shocked parents unable to give their upset preschooler a confident send-off because they are suddenly emotional themselves. Letting go is a powerful thing. So prepare yourself.

Beware little ears. Don’t confess your preschool jitters to your friend if Jimmy is beside you, watching Dora. Keep preschool discussions with your child — and around him — positive, light and simple.

Have a plan. And let him in on it. “Mommy’s taking you to school. You’ll have lots of fun. I’ll be back when school is over.”

Know the rules. You probably received a policy manual at registration. Read it. It outlines the program, routine and policies. You’ll know if she needs indoor shoes, or a labelled cup for snack. Don’t promise she can carry Mr. Blanky around, then find out it’s against the rules.

Prepare for the kiss-and-fly. The big day! You both march confidently into school. The teacher greets you at the door. Then it hits you like a bag of hammers: “This is my baby’s classroom. And I am not invited.” It’s like arriving too soon at the departure gate with security telling you to move it. You consider hanging around for a minute. Don’t! Your job is to send the message to your child that school is a safe, fun place. By standing there looking doubtful, you set his radar off: “There’s something to be scared of.”

And the Oscar goes to.… Here’s where your high school acting career comes in handy. Breathe. Smile. And say in a calm, confident tone, “Have lots of fun. I love you. I’ll be back when school is over.”

Beware the Velcro trap. One kiss. One hug. Then walk. Do not get snagged in a Velcro grip as your daughter decides she’d rather go home and watch The Wiggles. Stay calm. Her teacher will take her (not unlike removing a kitten from a woolly sweater) and comfort her. Keep walking. I mean it. Mentally block out the crying with a well-practised mantra, such as, “She’s in a safe place.”

Originally published in Today's Parent, September 2006