Oh my gosh, my daughter starts preschool this fall, and I'm literally a puddle of emotions! It's wild how the days can feel so long, but then the years just zoom by. She was in daycare when she was younger, but we decided to take a little break over the summer. So, it's been a hot minute since she’s been in a school setting. Now, we're diving into this new chapter with no nap times, packed lunches, and a bit more structure. She's super excited to get started, and I've been doing my best to prep her for the big day. Here’s how we’re gearing up for her preschool debut!
All About the Books
We've been hitting up the library for all the books about going to school. I love pointing out all the fun things they'll do, like putting backpacks in cubbies, storytime, and making new friends. It's all about hyping up the experience. Plus, I try to pick books that highlight being kind and helping friends, so she can see what being a good human looks like and (fingers crossed) be that kid who helps others.
And, because I'm extra, I made her a little book on Canva all about herself and what to expect on her first day. It’s just a few pages, but it includes details like her teacher’s name and a little rundown of the day. It’s like her own personal guide to school. If you're feeling the vibe, here's a customizable template you can print for your kiddos!
Saturday: The Big Reveal
We’re making Saturday a little pre-school celebration day. When she wakes up, there'll be a surprise waiting in the living room: new notebooks, a cute lunchbox, and all the essentials she needs for school, plus a little extra something to make her smile. I mean, these are things we have to buy anyway, but presenting them as a fun surprise just adds that extra sprinkle of magic and excitement. We'll spend the day reading more books, talking about school, and prepping for the big day. It’s like our little mini dress rehearsal.
Sunday: The Dry Run
Sunday is all about practicing the real deal. We’re sticking to the exact school schedule to get into the groove and spot any potential hiccups. We’ll wake up at 6 AM (eek!), have breakfast, get dressed, grab the backpack and lunch, and head out. We'll drive to the school, show her where everything is, and then head to the playground for a little playtime. After that, we'll grab some coffee and donuts to celebrate (because, duh, donuts are life).
For lunch, she'll practice opening all the packages herself and cleaning up afterward. It’s a good way to make sure she can handle everything on her own and for me to see if anything needs tweaking. Then, we head home and get everything ready for the real deal tomorrow.
So that's our little plan to make this transition smooth and fun for her. It's all about making these moments special and memorable because, let’s be real, this is a big step for both of us even though I'll be the only one crying!