It’s that time of year again when summer’s fun draws to a close and it’s time for families to transition from bathing suits to book bags. At Citibabes, we especially know how tough those first few days of the fall school year can be for both parents and children, especially when students are little ones.

Here are our top three tips – from teachers – to help make the change from summer to preschool successful:

Mornings can be mayhem in a family, we know this better than anyone. But try, oh try, to get your child to school on time. Transitioning back to school after a summer of lazy mornings can be tough, but your child will have better success at feeling part of the group and focusing on tasks at hand when they begin school on time with the teacher and all of their friends.

Tip #2: Shy? Share!

For children that may be having a tough time separating at the classroom door, politely ask the teacher if your child could bring in an item from home to share. A quick show and tell can sometimes inspire a reluctant student to join the class; holding something familiar makes them feel safe and often the toy sparks conversation as children connect over a topic or interest they share. Finding out three of your friends love Dora the Explorer as much as you do is the perfect icebreaker for uneasy tots.

Tip #3: In Case of Emergency

Pre-K life is packed with hazards: from pee to paint there’s a lot that ends up on outfits, so it’s best to send your child to school armed with supplies. We suggest a full change of clothes including underwear and socks, extra diapers or pull-ups, an umbrella, plastic bags (for rainy days when teachers send you home with arms of artwork), a cozy cardigan in case they get cold, and a snack pack (for grumbling tummies or bouts of bribery). Make sure to put them in an accessible bag that zips closed and label everything with initials so they don’t get lost.

By Erika Thormahlen, teacher & creative consultant, Citibabes

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