Going to school for the first time is an adjustment for any child, and this new experience may be accompanied by feelings such as fear, apprehension, and even some rebellion. Once your little one becomes accustomed to being in school or a day care program, such feelings are likely to dissipate. To make the adjustment period as comfortable as possible, you might take a variety of actions.
The Value of Preschool and Early Education Programs
Enrolling your son or daughter in a great preschool program can help your child adjust more easily to being in grade school. When your child attends one of the quality child care centers in Pittsburgh, he or she can learn how to behave in a structured environment. This experience will be beneficial to the child’s emotional growth and social development. The social skills that your child learns in this environment will also help him or her to get the most from the educational process once it is time to enroll in first grade and beyond. The best Pittsburgh preschool programs are designed to give your child every possible advantage before entering grade school.
Preparing Your Child Properly
Before the first day of preschool, talk with your child about what to expect when he or she is in school. You might want to meet with the preschool director or a teacher, in order to gain a sense of what a typical day will be like at the preschool your child will be attending. Once you have this information, you can help to create an image in your child’s mind of the types of activities to expect. Try to make the prospect of going to school seem like a fun adventure. Inform your child that there will be other children to learn with and play with. Describe various activities that your child will likely enjoy while in school, such as coloring, participating in arts and crafts, and playing educational games. You might also mention activities such as snack time and play time, so your child truly understands that a child care facility can be a fun place.
If it is possible to do so, you might also consider taking your young one to the child care facility before the first day arrives. Your child can then meet the teachers and view the basic layout of the facility. If you bring your child to the school when other children are around, he or she may have an opportunity to see the other boys and girls having fun and enjoying the learning process. This will help your child to develop a positive image of the school setting.
Feeling at Home in the School Environment
On the first day of school, take your child into the building and lead him or her to the teacher. The teacher will then guide your child in the appropriate direction, and you can make a quiet exit. Your child needs to know that the teacher is in charge of the children and that you will not be a part of the school environment.
Be sure to ask your child plenty of questions about the first day, and be enthusiastic about the experience. If you remain positive and enthusiastic, your child will probably feel positive about childcare, as well. Ask questions about the other children, the teacher, and the activities at the school. If you do this on a regular basis, your child will know that you are interested – and this could make the transition from being at home to being in school even smoother. Eventually, your young one will feel at home in a school setting. When you enroll your child in one of the best child care programs in Pennsylvania and Connecticut, becoming accustomed to a grade school environment will be even easier for your boy or girl.
There is nothing quite like the solid educational foundations that quality child care programs can help build for your child. Help your child develop the tools they need for success later on in life by enrolling them in your local Tender Care Learning Centers today. Offering a full range of child care programs for kids from infants to school-agers, each one of our programs is custom tailored to help your little one succeed and grow in a variety of ways. We invite all families to take a trip to your local Tender Care Learning Centers, and see for yourself how we can lend a helping hand in preparing your child for the journey ahead of them.
