My DC first year in school (pre-school)

[Anonymous]

Does one have tips or advice to get your child school ready? Thanks in advance

[Anonymous]

Take him to the school and let him play on the playground

[Anonymous]

OP, has your child been in daycare or away from you for the whole day? That is the hardest part if the child is not use to being away from his or her parents.

[Anonymous]

yes, if your DC hasn't been to daycare or is still socially shy (like mine was), try to sign him/her up for a summer camp even if it's just for a week.

[Anonymous]

A week or two before (not too far in advance), check out or buy some books about going to preschool. One good book is "The Kissing Hand."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:yes, if your DC hasn't been to daycare or is still socially shy (like mine was), try to sign him/her up for a summer camp even if it's just for a week.

I don't know if I'd go that route. In a preschool situation, teachers are prepared to help kids transition. With a year-long program, they have lots of time to help kids acclimate. Unless it's a great summer camp, with super experienced teachers, I'm not sure that they'd have the same expertise in getting young kids settled in during their first time away from home. Plus, unless it's summer camp at the same school, you'd have gone through one transition, then have a whole new place to transition to in the fall.

If separation is the possible issue, I might work on having some shorter drop-off play times with friends or family. If being shy with other kids is the issue, then I'd try to set up playtimes with other kids over the summer or do some parent/child classes.

[Anonymous]

I meant more of a play based part time one. Something that wouldn't need much transitioning. Meant more for social interaction. Maybe a parent coop type thing. I did this with my 2 year old before he entered PK3 last year (Dec baby) and it really worked like a charm (for us). He's the type of guy that is really shy at parks initially but then opens up easily.

[Anonymous]

DCPS schools have transition plans the first week. You will meet other families and get advice from teachers. The camp route might be be more trouble than it's worth unless there are kids from your class or school. DCPS early childhood education office has info for parents. You could also contact the school PTA and ask if someone could speak to you about how things work at that school.

[Anonymous]

Yes my DC is in Daycare but still have hard time transition from one class to another within the daycare.
I know its going be a hard time transition from daycare to school.
The charter school my DC is going to have a transition plan in place also but since PreS is not mandatory if they fell my DC not school ready (constantly keep crying) they will kick him out and tell me to tried next school year.

I just like some tips where I can get him school ready in 10 weeks b4 school start

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the advice

[Anonymous]

take him to the playground at that school during the summer and talk about this is your new school. If the school has a summer program sign him up. If school is still open talk to the principal about coming before they close so that he can meet his teacher. Doesn't have to be a long meeting but he will know his/her face. See the classroom. make it a big deal. Drive past the school and ask...what's that...and talk about school.

I did most of the above to get my little ones ready to move on to school. Now...they still had to transition (cried for about a week off an on) but after they realize they were staying they were fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes my DC is in Daycare but still have hard time transition from one class to another within the daycare.
I know its going be a hard time transition from daycare to school.
The charter school my DC is going to have a transition plan in place also but since PreS is not mandatory if they fell my DC not school ready (constantly keep crying) they will kick him out and tell me to tried next school year.

I just like some tips where I can get him school ready in 10 weeks b4 school start

Really? Kick him out? That doesn't sound right for a charter school. (And just plain cruel.) Contact the school staff or PTA and see if they can get a parent who's already familiar with the school to talk with you. Maybe someone who lives near you could help by introducing their children to yours this summer. A friendly child's face might help your child transition.

[Anonymous]

The school don't call it kicking him out but he not emotional ready for school and applied again next school ready since Pres and Prek is not required

[Anonymous]

I know of a child who was more or less kicked out of a charter PreS program for frequent bathroom accidents. Funny thing was, the child was fine at the daycare he left, and still fine when he went back to the same daycare after a wet wet month at the charter.

[Anonymous]

I would talk to your DC about the new school, visit the new school, meet other preS families and do playdates. Talk it up a lot. I would have him go with you to pick out a lunch box and back pack.

My son was so sad to leave his daycare. We went to the school's play ground several times. We did a playdate with a daycare friend who was going to the new school - and she was excited and this rubbed of on him. Then, from the moment he enterred the school until now (end of 1st) he has loved his school.