‘Chat with Me about Preschool’ Parent Guide

How to us this book to support your child’s move to Preschool

Your child will get most joy and learning from sharing this book when you….

Wait   Wait to give your child time to look at the pictures and take it all in

Notice   Notice what your child is looking at or pointing to, and listen to anything s/he says

Respond   Respond by saying something about what your child is focussed on

Chatting together is a great way to prepare your child for new experiences.  Go to the next pages for some ideas about using this book to support your child as s/he gets ready to go to Preschool

YOUR WORDS WORK WONDERS

 

 

 

 

Become familiar with the new Preschool

Here are some things you could try:

 

Go for walks where you will pass the Preschool	Take a photo of the Teacher and put it up at home	Go to the Open Day if possible	Arrange playdates with another child who is going too

 

 

 

 

 

 

Make your child feel safe and secure

Talk about the Teacher being kind and looking after the children	Have chats about all the fun there will be at the new school	Make it exciting to get new shoes, bag and jumper for Preschool

 

 

 

 

 

 

More ways to help your child feel safe and secure

Develop a good bedtime routine and a regular time for bed	Talk about the routine of the day – stay for a while and then get picked up again	Talk about how it’s okay to be a wee bit worried as well as excited

 

 

 

 

 

 

Encourage your child to do things themselves

Your child will be more confident about going to school if they are’nt worried about who will do things for them – and reassure them there will always be help if they need it.

Putting on Shoes and Coat	Pouring a drink and buttering toast – there’s snacks every day	Sorting themselves out at the toilet	Washing and drying their hands

 

 

 

 

 

Talk about making new friends

Use the book to chat about how the little boy is making new friends,

Talk about chatting, being friendly and helping your new friends	Talk about how the boy is having his turn and then it is his friend’s turn	Talk about how friends are kind, like when the little boy fell	Talk about how sometimes we play together and sometimes on our own