Getting Your Little One Excited for School: Where do I even start?
Hi parents,
If you're anything like me, you’ve probably already started thinking about that first big day: the backpack, the drop-off, the teary hugs (yours, not theirs!). For many of our students, this is their very first school experience, and we want to make the transition feel as joyful, calm, and positive as possible. That starts now, in these quiet summer weeks.
Here are a few ways you can begin gently preparing your child — and yourself — for the big shift ahead:
Start the rhythm early. A few weeks before school begins, begin adjusting your child’s wake-up time to match what it will be on a school day. Do your full morning routine: breakfast, teeth brushing, getting dressed, as if you were heading out the door. Even if you’re just heading to the backyard, this helps the morning feel predictable and calm when school starts. Bonus points: make a morning checklist like this one for your child to help visualize their morning routine!
Talk about school with excitement. Your child feeds off your energy. If school feels like an adventure to you, they’ll start to see it that way, too. Try saying things like:
“You’re going to have your own hook to hang your backpack on!”
“Your Morahs are getting the classroom ready for you!”
Read books about going to school. Books like Llama Llama Misses Mama, Maisy Goes to Preschool, or The Kissing Hand help children visualize the experience and open space for conversation. You can talk through feelings, ask what they’re curious about, and even role-play the morning goodbye.
Visit the school grounds. Even though the classrooms are still being set up, the outdoor spaces are open! Come, let your child play on the playground or just walk the perimeter of the building. Seeing the school not full of people can help reduce the overwhelm on the first day. If you want to come inside, call the office to arrange a time!
Set up playdates. Even without class lists (coming soon — first week of August!), we encourage you to use the Playground app to connect with other new families and set up a few summer playdates. Familiar faces go a long way toward easing first-day jitters for kids and parents. If you want any suggestions for parent contacts to reach out to, ask the office to make a connection!
Transitions like this are big, and we’re here to help you through every step. It’s not about having a perfect first day — it’s about building a foundation of trust, excitement, and love. And we’re honored to be part of that journey with you.
You’ve got this. And we’ve got you!
