As a young parent I remember
watching in awe as more seasoned friends effortlessly dropped off their
children for preschool. Little did I know that many preparations had been done
“behind the scenes” to make the event seem so effortless. Through much experience
I now know that a child’s successful arrival for school rates right up there
with “you get what you plan for.” And it is definitely worth doing well
because the child’s arrival defines the child’s day. Here are the
ingredients for a successful arrival:
The night before:
- provide a nutritious evening meal free of harmful
additives (videos, television, cell phones, computers …) accompanied by
interested and interesting family members
- arrange the selection of next day’s clothing for easy
access
- gather and place all necessary items the child will
need for school in one prepared place that is used consistently (tote bag,
lunch box, jacket, any notes or correspondence, a book to read while
waiting in arrival line …)
- provide a soothing, unhurried bedtime preparation
(bath, story-time, lights out …)
- ensure ample, undisturbed sleep for child and self
The next day:
- arise early enough to greet your child with genuine
warmth
- assist only as needed as child dresses for school (no
switching outfits, stick to the plan!)
- provide ample time for routine chores (making bed,
grooming, assembling lunch …)
- provide a nutritious breakfast free of harmful
additives (video, television, cell phone, computers, newspapers, magazines
…) yet injected with authentic camaraderie (no eating in the car en route)
- provide ample time for your child to collect items from
the pre-arranged storage space, all assembled neatly in appropriate
containers (totes, lunchboxes …)
- provide ample time for child to put on outer wraps,
outdoor shoes, and assist only as needed – the key is AMPLE TIME
- have a signal for load up time that is consistent and stick
to it (“Wagons ho!” “Get ‘em up! Move ‘em out!”) Be sure your
child knows that he is expected to be ready. Most schools will
accept children in pajamas!
- have everyone assemble at a pre-designated place, make
a quick survey to note that all is in readiness, lock up and load up
- A VERY IMPORTANT STEP:
provide plenty of travel time for unhurried, unharrassed, safe travel
- arrive on time! You are not only getting to
school on time, you are building awareness in your child of
responsibility, reliability and respect for her school community and its
expectations. You are also providing the tone for the child’s entire
school day.
- pull into the appropriate line of cars, settle back,
and wait patiently. Perhaps read quietly from the book you so wisely
planned for the night before, or have quiet conversation about what you
see about you.
- keep your child seated and belted in until assisted to
leave the car
- say your brief goodbye to your child before
the assistant opens the car door. Make it upbeat and cheerful – and very
brief. Prolonged goodbyes and hand- holding serve to increase the
child’s anxiety about separating from you. A brief, uplifting
goodbye says, “I have every confidence in you and your school. You
will have a fine day!” Children are amazingly intuitive about our
true feelings.
- recognize that, if you have done all of the
afore-mentioned items, the remainder of arrival is the work of the
assistant, the teacher and the child
- allow the assistant to accept your child, to include
assisting her from her seat as necessary
- as soon as the assistant and child are safely clear of
the car, drive away with complete confidence that you have worked hard to
create an arrival that will start your child’s day off beautifully
- repeat daily because, as everyone knows (parent as well
as educator), repetition breeds perfection
