Preparing for the 1st Day of School

Getting ready for preschool is a tough job especially if it’s your child’s first day of school and they are having trouble transitioning into that period. In this post, you will learn how you can manage your toddler’s big day.

The 1st day of school is a big event! I can remember the 1st day of most grades: new shoes, seeing friends after a long summer break, meeting new teachers, new school supplies, etc. Last year was Maggie’s very 1st day of school. It was such a special day.

We walked her to school as a family & couldn’t believe she went right in the door, not even a tear. Here are a few ways we prepared for the 1st day of school to make our child feel comfortable & how we’ll be doing the same this September!

Back to School Books

Reading a lot of books about school was a big help last summer. It helped Maggie ask questions about it & have an idea about what goes on before school starts. Julie & I put together a list of our favorites in this post.

Prepare for some fun pictures!

Last year we had a cute printed sign. This year I was trying to think of a new idea, & we tried this out while playing with chalk this week. It’s very important for young children to feel a sense of belonging and happiness about school in their early childhood because it creates a joyful association for them.

These pics will look cute when you share them on social media as well.

Trial Run

Last year, a week before the day of preschool, we walked the same route we did before. It was good to figure out exactly how long it took to walk to school. It was also a good way to prepare Maggie.

We talked about where we were walking, checked out the school again, etc. Including this in your morning routine when going to school will help your little one so much.

Our “Kissy Bunny”

This actually came into play mid year for us, during the last school year, & we will certainly be bringing him to school in September. Maggie never had trouble leaving me at drop off, & then sometime in the early Spring, she started having trouble. She would ask over & over again for “1 more hug & 1 more kiss”.

Sometimes she would be in the classroom & I could hear her crying to her teacher “please let me out, I have to give my mom another kiss”. It broke my heart. Then I had an idea. We had this adorable little bunny that I named our Kissy Bunny.

I told Maggie I would give the bunny lots of kisses, & she could keep him in her pocket. If she needed extra kisses after I left, she could take him out of her pocket & he would give her one of my kisses.

It worked wonders for us and aided a lot in her separation anxiety.

Last but not least: a fun new backpack!

I got this cool new backpack for Maggie last night at the Momtrends Back to School Style event & she loves it! The company that makes them is called MadPax. They have 2 different size backpacks & lunch bags too. The colors & texture are awesome.

Another favorite, for toddler sized backpacks, are these cute styles from our friends at Sila Boutique. Keep an eye out for a great deal from Sila Boutique in this week’s Yellow Friday shopping event.

Starting preschool is nerve-racking for your little kid, but with lots of guidance and lessons about classroom management before your toddler will go to school, it will make your life a little easier.

Talk to your child about what school is and what usually happens when they are there so they won’t get too culture shocked and cry the time they’re inside the classroom. I hope these simple tips will help you prepare for the first day of school!