Do not act worried. Smile.

buy books about school, talk it up and read every day
drive by and show the school, explain what will happen. i used a refrain over and over for 2 weeks- we will take you here to play with toys and new friends. you will eat and take a nap. when you wake up from nap and have a snack, mommy will be back to pick you up!
pick out something new and positive- backpack, water bottle, etc. talk it up- this is for you when you to to school!
at drop off, be calm confident and decisive. no lingering or "just one more kiss please?!" mommy loves you, mommy is going to work. i will be back to pick you up. hug kiss turn and walk away.
dont underestimate the power of being calm and confident. when im anxious and indecisive, my son feed off of that energy .when im confident and calm, my son is more likely to feel the same. he knows i am in control, and that it will be ok.

Dad or grandparent drops her off
Bring a stuffie if she can
Read a book/watch the Daniel Tiger episode
talk about how much fun it will be, how you will pick her up and have a yummy dinner for her first day (maybe you can make her favorite meal).
Talk about activities they may do
Show her pics of the classroom etc

Anonymous wrote:- Watch the Daniel Tiger Growns Up Come Back episode
- You (mom) sleep with the t-shirt that she will be wearing tucked into your shirt overnight so that she has your smell on her when she goes to school. This is a common rec for babies, but will also work well for a 2 year old. If you don't want to do that, then sleep with whatever stuffed animal you are sending with her.
- Definitely send a stuffed animal - on the first week of school, my DD would not go anywhere without her stuffed animal and backpack. She took them out to the playground, even!
- Stick a family photo in her back that she can look at when she wants.


Most importantly, be quick. No excessive hugging, momma loves you, etc. Just hand her off. It will be hard, but she'll stop crying more quickly if you drop her off quickly.

Also only ONE PARENT drop her off (preferably dad).

Again, great suggestions but call daycare first to see if they allow stuffed animals or outside lovees. Ours does not because of Covid and germs many new rules have been implemented. Also, some day cares don’t allow outside toys because of sharing issues.

- Watch the Daniel Tiger Growns Up Come Back episode
- You (mom) sleep with the t-shirt that she will be wearing tucked into your shirt overnight so that she has your smell on her when she goes to school. This is a common rec for babies, but will also work well for a 2 year old. If you don't want to do that, then sleep with whatever stuffed animal you are sending with her.
- Definitely send a stuffed animal - on the first week of school, my DD would not go anywhere without her stuffed animal and backpack. She took them out to the playground, even!
- Stick a family photo in her back that she can look at when she wants.


Most importantly, be quick. No excessive hugging, momma loves you, etc. Just hand her off. It will be hard, but she'll stop crying more quickly if you drop her off quickly.

Also only ONE PARENT drop her off (preferably dad).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Let her take a familiar and loved stuffie for nap time.

This is a good one.

This is a great suggestion but make sure that your daycare allows personal items.

I'm worried about kindergarten for my DD for the same reasons. She's very sensitive and has been with a nanny since she was 3 months old. I hope they do end up doing a meet and greet with teachers beforehand, but when I asked they said they aren't doing those because of covid.

Sorry OP I would just hug her and reassure her you'll be back.