Countdown to Preschool (page 3 of 5)

One Week Before

Count the days. The average preschooler is at a loss when it comes to understanding the concept of time. So explain when preschool will start in terms your child can relate to: "Preschool will start a few days after the pool closes." It may also help to put stickers on a calendar to illustrate how the days are passing. Or line up seven blocks (or other items) on a shelf and take one away each day.

Adjust sleep schedules. "If your child tends to stay up late at night or wake up late in the morning, you should start adjusting his sleep times, so he won't be exhausted on the first days of school," says Willer. In most cases, she adds, a gradual shift works best. For example, put your child to bed 15 minutes earlier and then wake him up 15 minutes earlier each day until he can wake up in time for school.

Start new routines. "Another option, for children who tend to have a hard time with transitions, is to find out when the preschool has snack, lunch and naps, so you can mirror the school day at home," says Rafoth. But be sure to explain any changes you make. For example: "Let's have our snack at 10:30 today, just like they do in your new school" or "It's 12:30. Let's rest for a while because this is when you'll have nap time at school." As Rafoth notes, "Learning the routine is important because children always feel more secure and comfortable when they know exactly what to expect." This applies to behavior as well, so look for ways to practice that too. For example, put up a hook so your child can learn to hang up her coat. Serve her lunch in the lunch box she'll be using at school so she'll know how to open her own sandwich bags and drinks. When she's finished playing with her toys, have "clean-up time" to teach her to put things away.

Most especially, talk about using the potty. If your child isn't trained yet, discuss what to do if she wets or soils her diaper. You may also want to make the switch to disposable training pants to help her feel more grown-up.

Buy something special. "With my second child, Christina, we made a big deal about going to the store and buying her school supplies," says Regina Langer, a mother in Forest Hills, N. Y. "She was so excited about using her new backpack and wearing her sparkly sneakers that she couldn't wait for school to begin." "Before you shop, though, check with school," recommends Rafoth. "The last thing you want to do is buy your child something special for school that she won't be allowed to use." Also, look for clothes that are comfortable enough to play in, easy to wash (a good preschool program will be messy) and easy for your child to put on and take off by herself. The best choices are casual, pull-on dresses and shirts; pants, shorts and skirts with elastic waistbands; and comfortable shoes or sneakers that either slip on or fasten with Velcro straps.

• • Parenting Kids
• Back to School

• Are You Spending Too Much on Back-to-School Needs?
• What can you expect when you and your teen hit the stores this fall? Find out how much money the average American family spends on the new school year -- and see how your expenses compare.
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• Back-to-School Fun With Food
• Whether your kids dread or look forward to going back to school, you're sure to put smiles on their faces with these recipes.
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• Back-to-School Safety Tips
• You can help protect your children from the most frequent kinds of school-related injuries by following these practical, proven tips.
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• Before Your Child Goes Back to School
• A checklist of the most important things to remember for your child's new school year.
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• Secrets of Straight-A Students
• Education experts and students reveal the secrets of maintaining high grades.
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• The Home-School Connection
• Strategies for developing a home life that will help your child succeed in school.
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• The Ultimate Off-to-College Checklist
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• What Teachers Want Your Child to Know
• The social and emotional development milestones teachers expect of children.
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• When Your Child Hates School
• Some of the most common reasons kids hate school -- and strategies to put them back on the road to success.
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