Parenting Tips

How to Say Goodbye:

Here are some tips for saying goodbye when your child starts preschool: Be encouraging about your child’s day even before you get to preschool.  If your child senses you are distraught about it, he may also be worried about it.  Introduce him/her to his/her teacher and try to get him/her interested in playing with something in the room.  When you are ready to leave, say goodbye, give him/her a hug and kiss, and then leave, even if he/she starts to cry.  Your child’s teacher will comfort him/her and ease the transition.  We have found that the crying escalates if you stop and stay in the room.  Generally the crying will stop in minutes, sometimes seconds.  If your child is unhappy for a long period of time we will notify you and you are welcome to call and check to see how your child is doing. Younger children, particularly toddlers, may need a week or two to adjust but this is normal.  If your child is engaged in play, be sure to still say goodbye to promote trust in the parent-child relationship.

If your child is having a difficult time adjusting, or you suspect that he will, you can leave him for a shorter time the first week, or even the first few days.  Occasionally a child will have a very good first day and cry the second and third day.  This is normal too.

How to Say Hello:

When your child is thoroughly adjusted, he/she may be unhappy to leave the preschool, especially if you have come during a favorite activity.  First, do not take this personally.  Your child still loves you.  Some children have trouble making transitions to the next activity.  This is normal.  Give the child at least 5-10 minutes to transition.  Though this can be frustrating, remember it is a good thing that your child is enjoying their preschool experience.

How Do Children Learn?