4 WAYS TO PREPARE KIDS FOR CHILD CARE & PRESCHOOL DROP OFF:

Child care and preschool have 1 major thing in common...

Drop off!

The "dreaded" drop off. The moment when parent seperates from kid. In some instances this moment can go off without a hitch! And, in other instances, that moment can be a struggle.

Struggling at drop off isn't enjoyable for anyone. Your kid feels dysregulated. Upset. Not wanting to stay. And you're left feeling like crap. Guilty. Upset.

No one wants to leave drop off feeling that way. It's not a great way to start anyone's day.

IF you're worried about drop off then you're reading the right blog. Because!

There are things we can do to prepare kids for this transition. Ways we can make drops off a little easier for everyone!

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1) TALK ABOUT IT

Talk about the new situation. This helps kids feel more comfortable the change. Talking about the new transition doesn't need to be anything lengthy or formal. Bring it up in everyday conversations with your child. When you drive by the building point it out. Say "Oh, look! There's your new school. Hi school!" Talking about it normalizes things for them and makes it part of their world.

Tell family and friends the news with your child. Get excited about it!

When you're out for a walk or eating a meal wonder out loud about school or daycare. "I wonder if you'll play dolls at school?!" or "How many new friends do you think you will meet at daycare?"

You can even act out the drop off. Pretend that your child is heading off to school! Sometimes my son would grab a bag and say "I'm leaving! Going to school!" Then we would talk about what he did and if enjoyed it. Play their way of figuring out the world; what's happening to and around them.

2) OUTLINE EXPECTATIONS

When you start a new job you have a general idea of what's going to happen. You have an understanding of what the company expects of you and what the job entails. Which is reassuring. Just like adults, kids like knowing what to expect!

Let them know how drop off will go. What'll it look like? Where will it take place? Who will be there?

Here's the important part...talk about what happens after the drop off. This is where a lot of anxiety kicks in for kids. What happens once mom, dad, or grandma leave? Give your child a brief overview of how their day will go! This doesn't have to be super detailed. It can be as simples as

"You're going to walk inside with your teachers. You'll hang up all

your stuff on your coat hook! Then you get to spend the day with your

teachers and new friends. Your teachers will take care of you! If you need

anything you can ask them. You get to play and read and have snack.

Then I'll come pick you up!"

This will also give you a chance to talk about parts of the day that might be harder for your child or make them feel especially anxious. Knowing what to expect is also really helpful for more sensitive and reserved children.

3) READ BOOKS ABOUT CHANGES, SCHOOL, AND FEELINGS

Reading is a great way to engage your child in conversation about school or daycare. You can use the story and pictures as jumping off points. It's a way for kids to make visual connections between what's happening in the book and what's going to happen when they're at school or daycare. Books also introduce kids to school or daycare terms they might not be familiar with.

Don't limit your books to back to school only. Read books about changes and feelings too! Kids are going to feel all sorts of ways about this new change. Books are an wesome way to help kids through this process. They absorb so much through reading. It's a way for them to try to make sense of things. And to understand that all their feelings are valid. Even if they are sad or nervous at drop off they are still brave. They are still capable. They are still safe.

Books can be huge support!

4) VISIT THE SCHOOL/DAYCARE

Before school or daycare starts take your child for a visit.

Most preschools will do an open house. It's a chance for the kids to see the classroom and meet the teachers. This is an opportunity for kids to see the new environment. Familiarize them with the space as much as you can. *Bonus! If you have a highly sensitive or reserved child ask if you can take pictures of the spaces. Then you and your child can spend time at home looking through them and talking about them.

It's also a chance for your child to get some face time with their new teachers or childcare provider. This is also a time for you to start making a connection with the teachers or provider. When we, the parents, have strong relationships with the staff it signals to our kids that these people are safe. It lets your kid know you trust these adults.

Daycare can be a little trickier. They might not have a "typical" open house but they usually have tours. Also, it never hurts to ask if there's a time you can come when things are particularly quiet. It's great for your kids to see the daycare during the day- they get a glimpse into how things will go. But for highly sensitive and reserved kids some quiet 1:1 time in the space with the provider could be a huge help!

Above everything else- don't put too much pressure on yourself or your kids. This is a big transition. It may take some time to work out any drop off kinks.