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f focused d on their h own needs d first, so being in the group helps them learn about others, develop empathy and manage their behavior. They learn to handle emotions in age-appropriate ways, which is a key to getting along with peers and to learning. “ In preparing for school’s start, Klein suggests giving your preschooler opportunities to play in unstructured settings, being allowed to make their own play choices and to interact with other children. “Preschool is a place where they can practice making decisions and choices, such as what activity they want to do or who they want to play with. These are skills that underlay all learning—being able to make decisions,” adds Klein. Jele suggests other easy things to prepare your child in the weeks before school include visiting the school, talking about school in a positive way, reading books about going to school such as The Kissing Hand by Audrey
Penn, and d arranging a playl date with a classmate. Glass recommends practicing your goodbye and keeping in mind that shorter is better. Make a goodbye routine and stick to it, even if your child gets upset or cries. Overall, parents need to remind themselves that going to school for the first time is a big adjustment for the preschooler in their lives. “Parents should know their little one is working hard to attend school and get used to being with so many other children away from home,” says Klein. “Regression is common at home, such as protesting bedtime or waking at night, more whining or sudden meltdowns, or more clinginess with a parent.” Provide comfort and reassurance to let them know you are there for them, and your child will be able to excel at school, Klein says. Megan Murray Elsener is a mother of three, freelance writer and regular
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Chicago Parent contributor.
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