Is your child about to start preschool? This major milestone can be both exciting and overwhelming for the entire family. With the right preparation, you can ease the transition and help your child feel confident and ready for this new adventure. In this three-part series, we’ll walk you through simple steps you can take at home to build everyday skills, create helpful routines and ensure a smooth start to the school year.
Part One
Help Your Child Become School-Ready
Focus on developing the everyday skills and social confidence necessary in the classroom.
- Incorporate self-care tasks into daily routines. Teach your child to wash their hands, use the bathroom with minimal help and put on their shoes. Work on one skill at a time and celebrate each accomplishment.
- Make cleanup time fun. Play music or set a timer during clean up to encourage responsibility and make it enjoyable. This helps build habits they’ll need in the classroom.
- Arrange playdates. Social play teaches children to share, take turns and use their words during disagreements. These experiences build confidence when interacting with other kids.
- Encourage your child to express basic needs. Help them use simple phrases like “I need help,” “I’m hungry” or “I need to go to the bathroom,” instead of relying on gestures.
- Teach basic manners. Practice saying “please” and “thank you,” and introduce the concept of raising their hand. These skills promote respectful communication and help them follow classroom routines.
- Give simple, specific directions. Try instructions like “Put the toy in the box,” followed by “Now get your backpack and put it by the door.” Practicing multi-step directions prepares them for classroom instructions.
Ready to take the next step? In Part 2, we’ll share how creating simple, consistent routines at home can make school mornings easier and help your child feel more prepared for the preschool day.
Part Two
Create Useful Routines and Learning Habits
Establish patterns at home that will make the school day feel familiar and manageable.
- Set a consistent bedtime and morning routine a few weeks before school starts. Designate times for brushing teeth, putting on pajamas and reading a bedtime story. Quality rest helps them to focus and learn.
- Establish a morning routine. Help your child get dressed, eat breakfast and gather their belongings within a reasonable time. Familiar routines reduce stress.
- Add quiet time into your day. Spend time reading books, coloring or doing puzzles to prepare your child for focused, independent learning time.
- Teach basic academic skills. Use finger paints or markers to help your child learn letters and numbers. Keep it playful and hands-on.
- Count objects during everyday tasks. Count toys, snacks or steps to reinforce number recognition.
- Read books about preschool. Choose stories that show kids enjoying school. Reading together lets you talk about what to expect and answer questions.
With routines in place, it’s time to focus on making that first day a success. In Part 3, we’ll cover practical tips and emotional strategies to help your child—and you—feel confident and ready for the big day.
Part Three
Prepare for a Smooth Start
Take care of practical details and help your child feel emotionally ready for their big day.
- Complete enrollment forms early. Submit all required forms, medical records and emergency contact information school begins. Keep copies organized for reference.
- Visit the school together. Tour the classroom, meet the teacher and explore the playground during an open house or scheduled visit. Familiarity eases first-day nerves.
- Label all belongings clearly. Use durable labels on your child’s backpack, lunchbox, water bottle and other items for easy identification.
- Keep a positive mindset. Talk about school enthusiasm. Highlight the exciting things they’ll learn and do.
- Validate their feelings. Let your child know it’s normal to feel nervous about new experiences. Teach simple ways to manage big emotions.
- Create a goodbye routine. Use a consistent phrase, hug or ritual at drop-off to provide comfort and ease separation anxiety.
Starting preschool marks an exciting chapter in your child’s life. These strategies help create a smooth transition, boosting confidence and enthusiasm for learning. Kansas Children’s Service League’s (KCSL) early childhood education programs understand the importance of this milestone and partner with families to ensure every child is ready to succeed. When you take the time to teach these skills and routines, you give your child the tools they need to thrive in school and beyond.
