How to Soothe a Child Not Liking Preschool

Children often receive positive social benefits from attending a preschool program, advises the HealthyChildren.org website from the American Academy of Pediatrics. Although going to preschool may be exciting for some children, if yours cries and balks at the idea, you may need to comfort and soothe him.

Things You'll Need

  • Security item (optional)

Instructions

    • 1

      Check your own attitude to ensure you̵7;re not inadvertently sending your child messages concerning your own ambivalence or sadness about placing him in preschool, advises psychiatrist and professor Joshua Sparrow, M.D. with the Scholastic website. Children can be extremely perceptive in sensing a parent̵7;s feelings and may proceed to mirror them. If you have unresolved feelings that your child may be sensing, either work them out privately or adopt better coping strategies that enable you to keep your anxious feelings from your child.

    • 2

      Let him know you understand how he feels. Tell your little one that it̵7;s common to feel unsure or nervous about a new situation at first, advises childhood development experts Marilee Hartling and Ariko Yoshizawa with Early Childhood Development Associates. Reassure your child that you feel certain he can handle the newness of preschool and that you think he̵7;ll feel better very soon.

    • 3

      Initiate a dialogue about preschool to try to discern what̵7;s bothering your child. You may find that your child has specific worries. He may wonder, ̶0;How will I find you when it̵7;s time to go home?̶1; or ̶0;How will I be able to nap?̶1; Answer any questions to help your child feel more comfortable. Let your child know that you or another family member will always come to get him when it̵7;s time to leave.

    • 4

      Speak with your child̵7;s preschool teacher to find out how he̵7;s doing in the program. Ask specific questions about how your child interacts with peers and teachers, how he participates in activities and what his overall attitude is like while he̵7;s there.

    • 5

      Ask school officials if your child can use a security object while he̵7;s at preschool to help him feel more comfortable if he misses his parents, suggests physician Carol E. Watkins with the Northern County Psychiatric Associates. The security item would stay in your child̵7;s cubby or bin.

    • 6

      Create a special good-bye routine that you and your child repeat every day to ease the separation, suggests the website PBS Parents. You might give the same number of kisses and hugs each time, say the same special words and then wave to your child in the same way every day, for example. The routine may give your child comfort and strength to face the separation.

    • 7

      Give it time. Some children may take up to three months to feel completely comfortable and confident in a preschool program, warns early childhood consultant and education professor emeritus, Dr. Carol R. Keyes, Ph.D.

    2. Previous:

    Next:

    • Are We Pushing Our Grandson Too Hard?
      Q My 2-year-old grandson seems very intelligent for his age. Since age 15 months he has known most of the presidents of the United States and the solar system. He has a very advanced vocabulary, knows his alphabet, and can also identify the letters i
    • Wicca: Many Girls Find It Spellbinding
      Wicca: Many Girls Find It SpellbindingMirror, Mirror on the Wall In the past few years, a popular new image of witches has arisen, and its a complete reversal from the wicked witch stereotype that were all familiar with. Theres the young sexy witch
    • How Many Homeschoolers Are There?
      How Many Homeschoolers Are There?Given all its benefits, you might wonder how many people homeschool. That is actually an interesting question and one that is quite difficult to answer. The number of homeschooled children is difficult to determine fo