Bye-Bye and Bagels

The first day of preschool is almost here! With this new beginning there can be excitement, anticipation, and often high anxiety. To help make the transition to school as smooth as possible, here are a few tips to make drop-off as successful as possible:

1. Get enough sleep. Try to make the night before school a calm and structured evening with a firm bedtime (with lots of snuggles of course!)

2. Talk about expectations beforehand. Help your preschooler know that he will get a special place to hang his backpack, a specific time to eat his snack and lunch, an activity to do right away, that he will need to listen to his teacher, etc.

3. Prepare the night before. Lay out clothes, pack lunches and backpacks the night before. This will make for a less hectic morning.

4. Resist the urge to "sneak away" at drop-off when your preschooler is distracted. Give her an intentional hug and goodbye. Tell her you will see her soon. Even if she is crying hysterically, it is better for her to see you leave than suddenly wonder why you disappeared. And be sure when you return that you emphasize how you will always return for her: "See! Mommy always comes back!"

On Tuesday morning, our preschool volunteers will be hosting a "Bye-Bye and Bagels" event for all parents just after drop-off in our Wesley Center (the house next door to the sanctuary). Come on over and enjoy some bagels, coffee, and fellowship. There will even be tissues in case you are having separation anxiety too! Personally I cried like a baby when I dropped my child at preschool for the first time!