Countdown to Preschool (page 2 of 5)

Two Weeks Before

Talk about it. A brief but positive introduction is all that's usually necessary. "Children this age tend to view going to school as a 'grown-up' thing to do," notes Willer, so that's a good way to sell it. For example: "Now that you're big enough to use the potty (or put on your own clothes, or draw with little crayons), you're ready to go to preschool, just like your cousin Sarah." If your child has already been in structured childcare or a playgroup, explain the similarities: "You'll get to play with other kids. You'll have snack and recess and the teacher will read books."

Read about it. Share some children's books -- such as Pooh's First Day of School by Kathleen W. Zoehfeld -- or watch a video that describes what preschool is like and how other kids feel about going.

Go for a tour. Point the preschool out casually whenever you drive or walk by, and take advantage of a formal orientation event or visiting hours, which most preschools offer just before the new school year begins. "Children, like adults, tend to fear the unknown," notes Mary Ann Rafoth, Ph.D., chair of the department of educational and school psychology at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. "So you can relieve a great deal of anxiety -- both yours and your child's -- by visiting the preschool with her and meeting her teachers and classmates." You may even want to bring a camera to take some pictures.

• • 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.
• 
• 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.
• 
• 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.
• 
• Before Your Child Goes Back to School
• A checklist of the most important things to remember for your child's new school year.
• 
• Secrets of Straight-A Students
• Education experts and students reveal the secrets of maintaining high grades.
• 
• The Home-School Connection
• Strategies for developing a home life that will help your child succeed in school.
• 
• The Ultimate Off-to-College Checklist
• 
• What Teachers Want Your Child to Know
• The social and emotional development milestones teachers expect of children.
• 
• 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.
• 

“ Be nice to your feet. Skip stylish heels and slip into your workout shoes for a long trek around the mall. ”

• See All Tips

• Be Inspired
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• Virginia Cervasio: Making It Matter
• PLUS:
• Quiz: What's Your Celebrity Cause IQ?

I do the water and sewer billing for a small city in Washington State. Customers complained about our postcard-sized bills -- which they said looked too much like junk mail -- so we decided to start sending full-sized bills in envelopes. The month before we made the switch, I had a note printed on the cards, announcing the change. Two days later, I heard someone yelling at our receptionist, "Is this some kind of joke?" When the customer threw his bill on the desk, I saw his point. The note was printed: "Coming Soon! New Larger Bills!"

-- Diana Holland