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Preschool Prep Series
Parting Is Such Sweet Sorrow
By Tara Swords
Fortunately, another thread in the common experience is that separation anxiety typically doesn't last for long. Both of Wolf's daughters adjusted well and had no problem interacting with their classmates. They adjusted so well, in fact, that they got along with everyone in that innocent way that a young child often will.
"They couldn't tell me, 'Who are you playing with?' They might play with a kid every day but they can't tell you who she is," Wolf says. "Once they were singing some songs and the kids were turning to each other and hugging and my daughter turned to one girl and said, 'Oh, you're my best friend!' and the girl said, 'You're my best friend! What's your name?'"
One of the best things you can do to prevent first-day trauma is take your child to visit the preschool before the big day arrives. Introduce him to the teacher, tour the classroom and explain what he'll be doing there. This will make everything seem much less foreign to him when school begins.
And while you're trying to get your child to trust his future teacher, remember that you should do the same.
"The teachers are really in the best place to tell you [how your child is handling it]," says Wolf. "They have the advantage of having seen dozens or hundreds of kids, so they kind of know the pattern."