First time at daycare? Change of classroom and teacher?

Summer and vacations are already over, but nice warm days are still ahead before the snow hits us! This time of year for many little ones is filled of excitement, anxiety, and changes. New teachers, new friends, new environment... Luckily these ''new '' worries only stick around for a little while. Be prepared for some tears, it’s a scenario played out at preschools everywhere. A child, screaming, holding on to mom or dad’s legs for dear life, refusing to even look at the classroom, much less walk into it alone. Relax. It’s normal. Kids this age thrive on familiarity so when they are placed into a new situation, it’s common if they panic a little bit. Saying goodbye to mom and dad, particularly if it’s the first time out of the house alone, can be difficult for many preschoolers. For some it’s old hat -- they’ve been in daycare for years or just have an incredibly easygoing, go-with-the-flow personality. The key is to make sure you are ready for your child to go to preschool. If you have any doubt or concerns, your child is going to pick up on it immediately. So on the big day, keep a bright smile on your face and stay positive. This will set a great tone for your child and make them realize that going to preschool is something they can and should look forward to. The great thing about the first day of preschool is that there are a whole bunch of people in the room that are going through the same exact thing. If your child does well on the first day, be prepared, you aren’t out of the woods just yet. Some children waltz right into preschool as happy as can be and everyone is content. But then, out of nowhere, a few weeks into the school year, your child may start to cry when you leave. This too is very common.