Preparing child for new school

[Anonymous]

We've purchased all the "get ready for kindergarten" -type books and have periodically driven by or stopped on the campus so that our child gets to know the new school. Does anyone have any additional ideas on how to prepare the child for the big change? We'll be driving, so no issues related to busses. Because it's not a neighborhood elementary school, we don't have the built in support of everyone getting ready to go to the same place and our child already knowing kids in the neighborhood that will be in the same class. I know, one of the downfalls of private vs public. I also wonder if the private schools in general are a little more lenient about staying with the kids for a little while the first couple of days to help with the transition or if it is pretty much drop 'em off and pick 'em up from the get-go. Our neighbors (who do send their kids to the public school) said it is a cut-the-cord situation right from Day 1. We've been talking about all the fun things that will happen at school and doing our best to play up how exciting it will all be. But already our child has been saying things like, "What if I get lost?" "What if the teachers don't like me" and "What if no one wants to play with me?" There are a couple of books that deal specifically with these issues (e.g., we have one called Wemberly Worried or something like that), but the questions keep coming. We said that being a little nervous is normal and that being nervous and excited can sometimes feel like the same thing. We also don't want to just minimize or dismiss feeling unsure, b/c this is certainly a situation where it is warranted!

Would love to hear how other parents have dealt with the transition. I know a lot of the issues would be the same whether private or public, but I am posting it under independent schools b/c of the circumstance stated above re: not the built-in support network of neighboring families.

[Anonymous]

I have no first hand information as our DS will also be attending a new private school in the Fall. As for us we are hopefully to meet some parents and children at upcoming new parent/child event so that we can arrange some playdates with new classmates this summer. Also, I know that some schools have buddy families so that might be another way to link up with some new or previous families. Just a couple of suggestion that might ease the transition.

[Anonymous]

Are you preparing for fall already? Seems early to me.

[Anonymous]

op here. Yes, we are starting now because their little friends talk about going to their "new schools" ...when they have playdates,for instance, a friend from the neighborhood will talk about "going to the red school down the street" or another will say that they are going to school soon in the "white cottage"....yup, kids at this age talk!!! Our child asks reasonable questions such as "why is susie going to the red school and sally to the white cottage and I am going someplace different?" and then the conversation evolves and the questions get more detailed (e.g., what will I do at the new school? "will I like it there?" "what if they won't let me play with (insert current favorite toy here)...

[Anonymous]

If your child is going into K, then I wouldn't worry about the transition at all. Any decent school will make this priority one for the first couple of weeks as they know everyone is in the same boat. I think at this age kids just start playing together and making friends very easily. I'm sure your school will provide you with a lot of information about what they do to get the kids settled in and adjusted to their new environment -- if not, just ask them! Good luck!

[Anonymous]

We've already started talking about preschool in September. Our dd is very interested and excited to be going to school like a big girl.

She is a little confused by the idea that I won't be there with her, but we talk about how I am going to pick her up every day and then we will have a snack and talk about what she did and school. And then take a nap. This seems to calm her, knowing that nap time will still be in place. She also talks about how she wants a back-pack: "Not one with flowers but a green one..." We have looked at back-packs on line together so she can show me exactly what she wants.

Keeping it concrete seems to help. Of course, she will just be 3 which is a very different developmental stage from K, but I think the idea of including the concrete ideas like back-packs, nap-time and "white cottages" is good one

[Anonymous]

Try to play on the play on the new school's playground to get acclimated. And, try to find some other kids attending next year and get together w/them over the summer.