As summer winds down and preschool season approaches, many little ones face big emotions—from excitement to anxiety. You may be experiencing those same emotions, and we want to help make the transition as joyful as possible for you and your kids!
Here at Heartland, we provide structured routines, social opportunities, and early learning experiences that help ease the transition from the carefree days of summer. As we prepare to greet your children with a familiar rhythm to our school days, there are things you can do at home to get ready, too!
1. Use Visual Schedules & Role Plays
Children are visual learners and thrive on predictability. One way you can help your children feel calm and confident about the changes a new school year brings is by creating a simple visual chart with pictures showing routines—waking up, brushing teeth, breakfast, packing a backpack, etc. This helps children feel prepared by helping them understand the flow of the day.
It is also helpful to use role‑playing to teach children about preschool routines. They can practice the types of activities they will do at school, what it is like when parents come back, or how to ask for help when they need it.
We invite you to book a tour, meet our teachers, and explore the classroom! Familiarity breeds confidence!
2. Normalize & Talk About Feelings
It is important to let children know it’s normal to feel nervous or sad about change. Let them know you are really listening by acknowledging emotions (“I see you’re worried about missing mommy”) rather than dismissing emotions (“You’ll be fine!), and talk about the positive things they have to look forward to—new friends, fun activities, and new discoveries!
A great way to help little ones talk about their big feelings is to Introduce stories about going to school. Books like The Kissing Hand or First Day Jitters can resonate deeply and help children experience their feelings and work through them in a gentle way.
We want you to lean on us to help your child transition! Discuss your child’s needs, sensory preferences, and routines with our caring teachers so they can help your child feel as calm and confident as possible!
3. Cultivate Calm
Calm Mornings
We all know that a rushed morning leaves families feeling frazzled. The best way to cultivate a calm morning is by preparing the night before! When possible, pick out clothes and prepare lunches and backpacks as part of your bedtime routine. Start the day with a good breakfast that includes protein, to help prevent low blood sugars that lead to big emotions. Stock your pantry, freezer and fridge with quick grab items that require little morning prep, like egg bites, breakfast sandwiches and smoothies.
Quick drop-offs
Another way to cultivate a calm morning is to become skilled in the quick drop off. We know leaving your little one can be difficult, especially if your child is struggling or teary. Experts emphasize quick, reassuring goodbyes help children to engage and settle in more quickly and eases anxiety in the long run.
And don’t worry, if your child does not calm quickly, we will always let you know!
Confident parents
We all know being a parent is stressful, and being the parent of little ones can be even more so. Our kids’ big emotions can often trigger emotions in us as well. It is important that we find ways to control our tone and response. Children pick up on our stress, but a calm response helps them feel safe.
This is sometimes easier said than done! So be sure to stay mindful of your own needs. Just as the pilot on the airplane instructs us to put on our own oxygen mask before assisting others, it is important you are tending to your personal needs so that you can be the best mom or dad possible for your little ones! Consider having family check‑ins. Brainstorm brief self‑care routines you can incorporate daily, and set realistic expectations to help keep household stress manageable.
We can help!
Here at Heartland, we know the value of these formative years, and we know that transitions can be hard! We look forward to partnering with you as your little one grows up to be a happy and healthy big kid. Book a tour today to find out how!