Simple Strategies for Preparing Anxious Kids for Preschool

If your young child has a lot of anxiety, you may worry about how they will cope with starting preschool. However, preschool can be one of the best things for a child who frequently gets anxious. Preschool gives children the opportunity to make friends their age, learn at an age-appropriate pace, bond with caring instructors, and feel the comfort of a daily structure.

Preschool can also be a great way for anxious children to have a gentler transition from staying home to longer days at elementary school. If you are worried about your anxious child and how they may adjust to preschool, consider these simple strategies for helping your child adjust to this exciting new phase of their life.

If possible, the process of helping your child ease into their preschool schedule should start the summer before they begin a preschool program. Start by taking your little one to a local daycare for just 30 minutes to an hour at a time. The shorter time makes the process less painful for a child who might get upset when you leave.

By getting your child used to temporary separations, you will also teach them that you will always come and pick them up again. Talk to your child about how you will leave them during their day at preschool but pick them up again after school. You can refer to how the drop-off and pickup process worked at daycare so that they have a better understanding of the separation.

When your child gets especially anxious, try to talk to them in a soothing tone. Your loving tone itself is comforting. Even if your child doesn't understand all the words you say, they will detect that you are not worried. That can help them learn that everything is okay, and they may soon decide that they don't have anything to be anxious about.

Sometimes children will express anxiety about a new experience, and they need to have their feelings validated. Validate their feelings, but you shouldn't encourage and empower the negative feelings. For example, you may reassure your child that you understand how they feel and hate to see them sad. However, don't promise your child that you'll take the sadness away.

Instead, acknowledge your child's negative feelings, then talk about the fact that you have faith that they can face their fears. Let your child know that you are here for them and that you will help them face their sadness. Talk to your child about what they might do to feel less anxious and sad in the situation. Encourage them to think through the problem on their own too.

When you visit your child's preschool, you will probably receive detailed information on what will be in the educational program. Once you see which subjects will be taught, you may want to introduce the topics to your child. That will help them feel more confident and familiar with certain subjects that they may not know anything about otherwise.

A preschooler can learn coping skills to soothe themselves, but they do still need their parent to offer them comfort when possible. When you are unable to be there to comfort your child, they should learn to self- soothe. Suggest that children try to talk about their feelings. Set a good example by talking about your feelings and how you tolerate anxious feelings.

Young children may learn additional simple coping skills such as thinking of things that make them happy. Your child may mention a beloved pet or a favorite song. Encourage your child to ask a teacher or other staff member for help if they get too sad.

Finally, contact the Riviera Daycare & Preschool to schedule a visit and discuss the program that may be right for your child. Preschool instructors are trained to help children with anxiety, and they will support you and your child during this exciting life transition.