The first day can be full of jitters as your child embarks on their first school experience. There are ways that you can help ease your child’s transition into the classroom. Here are some ways that you can help prepare your child for preschool:

1. Read, read, read!

   Make reading together a daily reading habit. Talk about the things your child sees in the text and help them to make connections to their own world.

   Book ideas to learn more about preschool: What to Expect at Preschool by Heidi Murkoff The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn Preschool Day Hooray by Linda Leopold Strauss Llama Llama Time to Share by Anna Dewdney

   Visit the Library- The Lebanon Library has a great story and craft time on Mondays (10:30, 1:00, & 6:30) and Thursdays (1:00)

2. Establish routines/ responsibilities for your child at home.

   Put away laundry

   Set the dinner table

   Clean up toys

3. Let your child interact with same-aged friends. Go on playdates, visit the playground, etc. Let your child experience what it’s like to have to share toys, compromise, and cooperate with others. Talk to them about how to be a good friend to others.

4. Encourage your child to use their words and expand sentences to communicate their wants and needs.

5. Work with your child on using school tools. Color with crayons, paint, cut with scissors, use a glue stick, etc.

6. Practice writing their name and learning the letters in their name. Have your child make/sign cards for their loved ones.

7. Encourage self-help skills Putting on clothing/ coats/ shoes Handwashing Independence in toileting skills Packing up their backpack by zipping and putting items in/ taking items out.