How to Calm Your Child's Fear of Starting Preschool or Kindergarten

Whether your child is headed to nursery, pre-k, or kindergarten, starting school for the first time can be scary for little ones. Here are some tips to calm separation anxiety in young children (and their parents) and make the transition from home to preschool (or daycare) easier.

Since children love familiarity and routine, getting into a school going groove can be especially helpful for kids starting preschool, nursery school or kindergarten in the fall. A month or so before my child first started school, I started taking steps to make sure he knew what to expect in school when he got there for the first time. For tips on how to prepare your child for the first days of school, read my article "Off to School: Getting Your Child Ready For Starting School". For a list of suggested books for kids that will help prepare for starting school for the first time, read my article "Suggested books to help kids prepare for starting kindergarten or preschool."

Practice going to school: I walked or drove my child to school a couple of times each week. In the beginning, we did it at any hour, but towards the end, we practiced around school time. This helped him get familiar with the route and routine. I pointed out the signs, the speed hump, classrooms and any visible play equipment.

Describe what will happen on the first day/read books: I shared my own memories of school. We sang songs (my favorite is "Off to School" from The Best of Elmo album by Sesame Street), and read books together about going to preschool.

Don't ignore fears but focus on the positive things: One advice I got was not to let the child dwell on fears or imagination of what might happen. For example, since my child likes art, I showed her books about going to school where children are painting or doing crafts. We also talked about how a fictional character (Elmo, Dora or Superman) might handle it.

Practice separation: I was surprised to find out so many ways of practicing separation. We played simple separation games like hide-and-seek. Since my child has never been separated from family based care givers, I introduced him to alternate caregivers (e.g. babysitters). Occasionally, I sent him to one to two hour drop-off classes.

Meet other children going to the same class: Some schools will organize orientations and get children together prior to the start of school. I attended such events. Additionally, I introduced my child to some of the children in the class by arranging play dates in advance of starting school.

Don't over-schedule extra-curricular activities: Before school started, we got a schedule for enrichment activities. I expected my child to be initially tired and possibly more irritable than usual when he started school. I did not give in to peer pressure for signing him up in advance for before or after school activities.

Note: Articles may have been published in other media. Author retains copyrights. Photo: sxc.hu

Off to School: Planning a Successful Start to School for Kids

Your child is three, four, five! In just a few weeks he will head to nursery, pre-k, or kindergarten. Since starting school for the first time can be scary for little ones, I wrote down some ideas I used to calm separation anxiety and prepare my child for school.

My plan to get my child into a school going groove really kicked in in mid August, a few weeks before my child headed off to school for the first time.

Start adjusting sleep and meal times: My son’s first year of school was only three hours in the afternoon, which overlapped with his nap time. Since I expected him to miss his scheduled naptime, I started putting him to bed later. When he started going full time from 8:30 am to 3 pm, I adjusted his meal and sleep schedule again.

If your child gets anxious or upset, acknowledge the feeling: A week before Labor Day, my child decided never to go to school. The best advice I got was not to bribe or bargain to mask the distress. I tried to continue to be upbeat and focus on fun, rather than share my own separation anxiety with the child.

Give children control over what they can control: We did our back to school shopping together. A couple of weekends before school, we planned a special shopping trip for school supplies and clothes. He chose the Disney Store and Target. By offering simple choices like picking a lunchbox, backpack or outfit, I was able to get him excited.

Pack a piece of home to school: Although toys are generally not allowed, most schools will allow children to bring his/her favorite toy, lovey or blanket to class for the first few days. Our school requested a family photo for the classroom, which delighted my child when he found it waiting for him in class.
Make sure the child is well rested and fed: A sleepy or hungry child can quickly become a cranky child. When my child did not finish breakfast or his night’s sleep, I told the teacher in the morning.
Practice a good-bye routine and make a swift exit: Like Chester the Raccoon, I practiced a special goodbye wave, hand-shake or high-5. Our school instructed us when dropping off to give a quick kiss and hug and cheerfully do the goodbye routine. Even though it was tempting, I didn’t  linger, peek, or come back several times.
Help your child settle in, say when you are coming back: My child’s teacher had mailed him a welcome letter with her photo, which helped him recognize her. I told my child her name and how to say hello. Once he was settling in in his new surroundings, I said when I would come back in terms he would understand (for example, "I will be back after story-time.")
Do not give in and keep/take your child home: Thankfully, my child loved going to school and did not have a meltdown. However, many other kids in his class did. As parents, we were told to tell our children we expect them to go to school no matter how much they fuss, cry or stamp their feet. When my child missed school (from sickness, bad weather etc.), I remembered not make it an extra fun day. After all, school is fun and it is up to parents to keep reminding our kids that!

Note: Articles republished in other media, author retains copyrights. Photo sxc.hu

Books to Prepare Children for Going to School for the First Time

With only a few weeks left till Labor Day and start of school, parents of three, four and five year olds are getting ready to send their little ones to school for the very first time. Like most new experiences, going to a new place without their parents is especially tough for little ones. I have been incorporating tips and ideas all summer to prepare my child for starting school. In the next few days, I will add some more best practices for helping my child transition back to school.

While getting into a familiar school going routine and talking about all the fun things that happen in school is invaluable, reading books and listening to songs can really help in reassuring young children that nursery, preschool and kindergarten are fun, safe places for the little ones to play and learn, even when their mothers and fathers are not with them.

Here are some of my favorite starting school books, in no particular order. The Kissing Hand, the NY Times #1 bestseller that has unfortunately spawned Chester the Raccoon merchandize is a must read for school going kids of all ages. I am somewhat partial to Anna Dewdney’s expressive sketches and catchy rhyme. Shy kids will benefit from sharing Franklin’s first day of school experience, while precocious ones will enjoy the Charlie and Lola adventure.

·         The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn

·         Owl Babies: Candlewick Storybook Animations by Martin Waddell

·         The Invisible String by Patrice Karst

·         Llama Llama Misses Mama by Anna Dewdney

·         I Love You All Day Long by Francesca Rusackas

·         I Am Too Absolutely Small for School (Charlie and Lola) by Lauren Child

·         First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg

·         D.W.'s Guide to Preschool (Arthur Adventures) by Marc Brown

·         Franklin Goes to School by Paulette Bourgeois

·         Maisy Goes to Preschool: A Maisy First Experiences Book by Lucy Cousins

·         My First Day at Nursery School by Becky Edwards

·         Kindergarten Rocks! by Katie Davis

·         Annabelle Swift, Kindergartner by Amy Schwartz

Related articles:
How to Calm Your Child's Fear of Starting Preschool or Kindergarten

Off to School: Planning a Successful Start to School for Kids

Sesame Place visiting tips: When to go, what to do

Sesame Place, located in Langhorne, PA, is a wonderful amusement park suitable for families with young children. For tips on how to save on Sesame Place entrance tickets and dining experiences, please read my other Sesame Place article. Although Sesame Place is only 90 minute away from New York and only a 30 minute from Philadelphia, like most amusement parks, maximum enjoyment needs some advance planning and logistics. Here is what to do, when to go, and what to avoid so that Sesame Place is the maximum fun and minimum stress for your tiny tots.

Children over 3 years can generally spend the entire day at Sesame Place. When my child was younger, we left home after lunch, had him nap in the car and got to Sesame Place when he was ready to wake up. This also worked well when we bought Twilight tickets. Now we plan on being there the whole day, so we arrive before the scheduled opening to get the better parking spots and shorter lines. Although we never stayed overnight, our friends recommend the Courtyard at Marriott, which is in walking distance to Sesame Place but also runs a shuttle.

Before our first few visits, we reviewed the Sesame Place online map and noted the attractions that were on our must-visit list. For example, we excluded the ones that were too scary for our child (Vapor Trail, Sky Splash or Sesame Streak) or or ones that seemed geared towards younger children (Teeny Tiny Tidal Pool, Ernie's Waterworks). The early morning hours are great to hit the dry rides like the Sunny Day Carousel, Big Bird's Balloon Race, Flyin' Fish, Grover's World Twirl or Ernie's Bed Bounce, because the lines get long and kids get tired of waiting. When we don’t expect very long lines (say in mid-May), we arrive in our swim clothes and do the wet rides first, which amounts to one less change of clothes.

Like other amusement parks, large plastic strollers with canopies are available for rent at Sesame Place. However, we bring a small inexpensive stroller which navigates the crowds well and leave the big diaper bag in the car. We carry a waterproof case with cash, a credit card, ID and car keys and leave a small bag with basic necessities (drinks, snacks, towels, sunblock, couple of diapers, change of clothes) etc. in the stroller. Shade is tough to find at Sesame Place, except a few umbrellas near the Count's Splash Castle, so everyone wears hats.

Despite the best efforts at planning ahead, kids will be kids. There have been times when we had to change our plans at Sesame Place because it is too hot, too crowded or our child is simply not up to it. Since Count's Splash Castle, Tidal pool, and Block play area don't have any lines, they are our best bet when things are not going according to plan. In fact, with the umbrellas and changing areas, Count's Splash Castle typically becomes our home base at Sesame Place. The other option, besides the restaurant, that allows kids to wind down is the live show. The main theater offers an air conditioned respite which can help calm down little kids. Just be prepared to stand in line at least 15 minutes before the show.

Sesame Place hosts weekend Halloween Spooktaculars (with trick or treating), a Furry Christmas Party, and weekend Fall/Winter days. Wet rides are always open from Memorial to Labor Day, but sometimes they are open on other days. Call the infoline (866-GO-4-ELMO) for ride closings. Sesame Place fireworks details are posted on the special events calendar, which also offers tips for viewing. Be warned, the entrance/exit is blocked off 30 minutes before the show, and families can be split up as a result of going to the car to get the camera.

Sesame Place: Guide to Deals on Tickets and Dining

Sesame Place, located in Langhorne, PA, is a wonderful amusement park suitable for families with young children. About a 90 minute drive from New York and only a 30 minute drive from Philadelphia, Sesame Place can be a lot of fun even for toddlers. Here are some great mom-tested time and money saving tips for entrance tickets and dining at Sesame Place.

Entrance Tickets

For 2012, Elmo's 2^nd Day Free tickets cost $58.99. The 2^nd day does not have to be a consecutive day, meaning it can be used during the entire season Sesame Place is open (April to October). Children over 24 months pay the full price. This means if you want to take an almost two year old child to Sesame Place for his birthday, you should go the weekend before. Every adult with a season pass or multi day ticket needs an ID to enter and will be fingerprinted, so the tickets become non-transferable.

Discounts abound on Sesame Place tickets. I always visit www.sesameplace.com for the special event calendar, partner discounts (which include McDonald’s and Rite Aid) and disclosures and bought and printed tickets online to avoid long lines at the entrance. Right now, the online tickets are selling at $10 off. Weekday tickets are also discounted. It makes sense to know the terms of the discounts (AAA, military etc.) and coupons. For example, typically you can’t combine them or use them on the two day pass.

Season Passes

Although the two day pass, which can be used on non-consecutive days, offers a decent value, those planning on multiple visits should invest in a season pass. Big Bird and Super Grover Season passes allow holders to “Meet and Greet” (and hug) all the characters (in the locker area near the start of the parade route) from 6:40-7:00pm and ride the parade float afterwards. The Big Bird Pass, which sells for $136.99, offering free preferred parking ($18/day) and 30% off meals and merchandise, which amounts to decent savings. Our family usually purchases at least one Big Bird pass, which lets us participate in the the Meet & Greet and allows us to skip the dining experiences, which are expensive. Typically, if you buy a current season pass in late summer (early August), you get next season’s pass for free. Season Pass holders also get discounts on additional tickets, as well as free entry on select days for friends and family.

Dining

A special experience at Sesame Place is to have breakfast, lunch or dinner with your favorite Sesame Street characters such as Elmo, Big Bird, Abby Cadabby, and other Sesame Street friends. I do not find much value in these (since the Meet and Greet is quite intimate without the distractions of food), but the passes do offer a 10% discount. Veteran Sesame Place goers recommend booking the character dining experiences online a couple of weeks in advance, since they sell out. If you cancel with more than 24 hours advance notice, you get a full refund.

Although the menu has seen a healthier upgrade in 2012, food at Sesame Place is expensive, mediocre and not too healthy (pizza, fries, chicken tenders, etc), and the lines at lunchtime can get long. No outside food is permitted, with the exception of soft side coolers. Unfortunately, unless you purchase a “smart cup,” you cannot fill beverages in your own cups. We often eat outside Sesame Place, at the nearby Romano's Macaroni Grill, Pizzeria Uno, or Chili's. Visitors get a hand stamp that allows them to return to the park on the same day. The season pass offers a 30% discount on food, so we remember to carry ours when placing the food order.

For more tips, please read my other article on Sesame Place logistics.