The first day of preschool can be challenging but it gets easier with proper planning. Here are a few things to expect on the day for you to be prepared.
Preschool is the first big step in a child's life. They would be experiencing new feelings, away from the comfort of their homes and parents and spend a few hours in a new place, among strangers . The situation is similar for the parents as well. Entrusting their young ones with newly met people, albeit professionals and qualified personnel, is challenging. However, parents and kids, eventually get familiar with the new addition to their lives called the preschool, but it is always the first day of preschool that is difficult.
Emotions run high just as the excitement, leading to confusion and anxiety among pupils and guardians. Preplanning the day and expecting what lies ahead helps alleviate this rollercoaster of the day. This blog entails all the details one must expect on the first day of preschool. Read thoroughly to be prepared for what lies ahead of the nursery class admission.
Breaking Down the First Day of Preschool
Welcoming and Orientation
Expectation:
An experienced preschool will always ensure the parents and kids are well-informed about the procedures and academics. Understanding the working principles helps the parents realise their kids are in good hands. Hence, one can always expect a welcome and orientation on the first day of preschool. This is where the authorities take the parents and kids through their history, teaching experience, teaching methods, curriculum, campus and faculty introduction.
Parents' responsibility:
As parents, it is essential to pay close attention as these details matter a lot regarding their kids' future. At the same time, it is imperative to urge your kids to pay attention as much as they can. The better they listen, the easier it will be for them to familiarise themselves with the new environment.
Preschool Tour
Expectation:
Many established preschools have set steps to make the first day of preschool an easy transition for kids and their parents. This includes giving them a guided tour of the preschool. A guide, usually the principal or the senior most faculty, takes the pupils and their parents on a guided tour to introduce them to the classrooms, play areas, and the entire facility that is going to be a regular part of the kid's life for the next couple of years.
Parents' responsibility:
While a guide is tasked to do the job gracefully, parents have to play their parts as well. This is where the parents can help the preschool management by explaining and introducing the new surroundings to their kids while making them realise it is going to be their second home.
Ice Breaker Activities
Expectation:
Preschoolers will be engaging in group activities to familiarise themselves with their peers. This is also a healthy activity to develop acquaintance among fellow parents and with the teachers. These activities usually include fun and games, songs, or basic introductions.
Parents' Responsibility:
Encourage your children to participate in these icebreaker activities. This will harness social skills within them. A much-needed life skill that will always be handy in their journey as an individual. Any hesitation or shyness will only be natural. The parents must be prepared to deal with such situations calmly to make sure there will be no negative association planted in the kid's mind.
Emotional Rollercoaster
Expectation:
No first day of preschool can go by without emotions running high. The kids will be venturing out to a whole new world for the first time. It will also be amidst new people and away from the comfort zone and familiar faces at home. As for parents, the separation can be relatively easier due to maturity and better understanding but not easy. Their young ones will be out of their sight, although just for a few hours, for the first time.
Parents' Responsibility:
While not all are good at hiding emotions, it is recommended to put up a pleasant face for their kids. This will give them a sense of relief and a realisation that everything is alright. The parents should also explain to their kids the new routine and ensure they will be back in time to pick them up.
Conclusion
The first day of preschool is memorable for the kids, the parents and the preschool itself. It is a milestone that marks the first step of the young ones embarking on their academic journeys. While the management gives a gist of the first day during the nursery class admission process, the day itself is a whole new experience. This blog should help parents prepare themselves and their kids ahead of the big day and deal with it the best way possible.
Preparing a child for the first day of preschool will be challenging but with planning, it can be easily dealt with. Try and explain to the child the concept of preschool way before the first day itself. This will help the kid imagine the new start and anticipate what lies ahead.
The typical age to start preschool is 3 or 4 years. However, this is dependent on many aspects like the kid's emotional and intelligence growth, etc. More than the age, it is about how prepared the kid is to start the academic journey. It is recommended to talk to experts to understand whether your kid is ready to join preschool.
Experienced and reputed preschools like Kidzee know how to handle the situation perfectly. The preschoolers should be greeted warmly. They must also be assisted in familiarising themselves with the classroom, peers and teachers. Various ice-breakers and group activities can help in such situations.
The basic instinct of a 3-year-old on the first day of preschool is to cry. This is mostly due to the unfamiliar routine, surroundings, people and separation from parents. This might go on for a few weeks until the kid gets settled with the new life. The parents must keep a calm face (even though it is difficult) and help their kids with the transition.
Preparing a child for the first day of preschool will be challenging but with planning, it can be easily dealt with. Try and explain to the child the concept of preschool way before the first day itself. This will help the kid imagine the new start and anticipate what lies ahead.
The typical age to start preschool is 3 or 4 years. However, this is dependent on many aspects like the kid's emotional and intelligence growth, etc. More than the age, it is about how prepared the kid is to start the academic journey. It is recommended to talk to experts to understand whether your kid is ready to join preschool.
Experienced and reputed preschools like Kidzee know how to handle the situation perfectly. The preschoolers should be greeted warmly. They must also be assisted in familiarising themselves with the classroom, peers and teachers. Various ice-breakers and group activities can help in such situations.
The basic instinct of a 3-year-old on the first day of preschool is to cry. This is mostly due to the unfamiliar routine, surroundings, people and separation from parents. This might go on for a few weeks until the kid gets settled with the new life. The parents must keep a calm face (even though it is difficult) and help their kids with the transition.