From the wave goodbye in the morning to the big hug at pickup, your children are navigating the world of preschool without your watchful eye.

In the days and weeks ahead of starting preschool, there are ways you can build your child’s confidence–and relieve some of your fears, too.

Preschool teachers only have two hands

Anything you can teach your 3 year-old to do will be something the teacher doesn’t have to do for him.

When I sent my first child to preschool at age 3, I had no idea what she needed to know. She knew her colors and some shapes, and had recently left diapers behind. She was prepared in some ways, but in other ways, I learned that she lacked some necessary skills. 

• Click here to download my 7 Skills Your Child Needs Before School.

A few years later I had the opportunity to work at her preschool. While I was there I learned a whole lot about three- and four-year-olds. 

Preschool raised my expectations for my kids

I discovered my own lack in some areas–I realized I was doing things for my then 4-year-old that she should have been capable of doing herself! There are plenty of young elementary school kids who can brush up on these skills themselves.

While I was in the classroom, I saw what was important, and I saw what effect those skills (or lack thereof) have on a preschooler’s day.

Lunch time politics

Yes, they’re barely talking, but they are definitely watching and comparing themselves to their peers. I didn’t realize how much of their social standing is established at the lunch table.

They observe who is able to open her own lunch box, and who has to ask the teacher every day to open his water bottle for him. They pick up before long that one of their classmates always has to be reminded to throw away her trash, and who will open his neighbor’s zip top bag of crackers for him.

Making sure to do a practice lunch at home with the lunch box and the containers you plan to use is vital before sending your little big kid off on his own. Teach them how to open – and close – their sandwich keeper or zipper baggies. 

One more tidbit--any thing you can send that makes the teacher’s life easier will put her more on your side. If the cheese stick wrapper is already started, so he can open it himself instead of waving it in the air for help, you earn parent points!

Clothing catch-ups

The clothing our kids wear makes a difference in their confidence.

I’m not talking about whether they match, if they are name-brand, or even if they’re clean. It’s all about whether their clothing is made with the child in mind. Can he push up his sleeves to wash his hands? Is it okay for her to play in it? Can he pull his pants back up after using the toilet? 

Jacket magic

In the first few weeks, jackets, mittens, and hats are not necessary. But come October, we’re seeing some coats. My girls’ preschool teacher taught us all Jacket Magic, and it saved so much time getting out the door!

My download has written steps for how to do jacket magic, but a video is worth a thousand words! 

 

 

What about you, Mom? 

What do you need to be ready for your preschooler to leave the nest, even for a few hours a day? 

There’s some relinquishment involved in sending your young charges into someone else’s care. There are some emotions involved, am I right? I had some trepidation. Some relief. Some worry. 

Those are entirely normal. And like Daniel Tiger says, “Sometimes you feel two feelings at the same time, and that’s okay.”

If you’re feeling anxious about your baby being at school, try not to pass that anxiety to your child. It will be helpful to know you’ve done all you can to prepare them for this big step.

It is a gift to have loving preschool teachers who will give your child boundaries and input. The relinquishment of realizing that you are not the end-all, be-all for your children is actually a level of freedom. 

And if you’re feeling relief, then I do hope you go enjoy a nice coffee in your free time! 

For the rest of my tips, get the download here.

What else would you add? Which of these surprised you?