How Parents Can Help Transitioning To Preschool
Consistency at home and at school will help your child to feel both secure
and comfortable with their new environment. One of our goals is to help
your child feel successful. Below are a few suggestions for parents to help
with this important transition...
1. Teachers often invite children to have a "lesson" on new work in the
classroom - encourage your child to be receptive to a teacher's invitation
to work together.
2. Understand that we refer to the child's purposeful activity in the
classroom as "work". They will be proud to describe the hard work they do
each day.
3. Learn the names of the teachers, children, and materials in the
classroom. This will make dialogue with your child each day more meaningful.
4. Language is taught phonetically in the classroom. Help your child to
learn the sound each letter makes rather than memorizing the names of the
letters of the alphabet.
5. Read to your child routinely. Once your child learns to sound out words
on their own, encourage cooperative reading.
6. Engage your child in role-playing exercises to help them prepare for new
or difficult situations they may encounter in their new classroom setting.
Practice listening to one another and taking turns while talking.
7. Observe, recognize, and positively reinforce appropriate behaviors at
home. At school teachers model behavior such as using words to communicate,
using a quiet voice, and walking indoors.
8. Recap proud moments and accomplishments, both large and small, with your
child each day!