Starting preschool: Books, rituals, and tips to ease the transition
Starting preschool comes with alllll the feelings, so if you’re a little like 😭🎉🥺 right now, you’re definitely not alone. It’s a big step for your child and for you.
As pediatric speech language pathologists and moms of 6 kids between the 2 of us, we’ve been there and we get it. We loved the preschool stage, and think you’ll find the same to be true. It’s a season of growth, discovery, and wobbly independence.
And while starting something new can feel overwhelming, we hope to help make the transition a little smoother. It really is an exciting stage!! In this blogpost, we’re sharing a few of our favorite ways to support your child as they begin preschool, including:
Let’s dive in!
Books about starting school:
When kids know what to expect, they feel more secure. Books are such a powerful way to introduce new routines and ease worries through familiar characters and relatable storylines.
Shop our favorite books for starting school: Amazon | Bookshop.org
A PERSONALIZED OPtion
And at the very top of our book list is this personalized option from Pinhole Press. It takes a little bit of time, sure, but a personalized photo book is a fantastic way to make something new feel more understandable for your little one. It also helps them feel more connected to their new teachers and school building.
➡️ Start creating your personalized school book here.
Rituals to help with separation:
Separation can be hard, for both you and your child. Having a simple, predictable goodbye routine is a game changer! Don’t sneak away. While you may have hear that sneaking away makes it easier, it can actually increase anxiety.
Instead, try a consistent ritual before you part ways, like:
A special handshake
A goodbye saying, blessing, or rhyme
A shared mantra like “you’re safe, you’re brave, you’ve got this!”
Katie’s ritual: “I give my kids a hug and say, ‘May the Lord bless you and keep you, make His face shine upon you and give you so much peace in your heart.’ It’s fast, grounding, and familiar.”
Carly’s go-to: “I tried to stay really calm and confident during goodbyes because I knew they could feel my energy. I also liked to talk about something fun we’d do after school–like playing at the park or finishing up a craft we had started–to help shift the focus if they were starting to spiral.”
This piece does get easier with time! So hang in there.
try singing a song!
“Grown-Ups Come Back” from Daniel Tiger is always a hit. And don’t forget to point when you actually do come back–it helps build trust and remind their little brain of the truth!
This is a simple goodbye song Katie made up and sang to her kids during the preschool years.
Our go-to preschool drop-off play list
Excitement, nerves, or both—starting something new can bring lots of emotions! Sometimes music can make such a big difference.
This playlist is perfect for the car ride to school, getting dressed in the morning, or any moment your little one needs a boost of bravery.
➡️ Find it on Spotify | Apple Music
Supporting Social Skills in the Preschool Years
Preschool is about so much more than learning ABCs. It’s a time for building friendships, navigating turn taking, learning how to express big feelings in new settings, and more.
We have a full post that dives into simple, everyday ways to support your child’s social development during these important years.
➡️ Read it here
Try our online story time
If your little one loves books and songs, they will love our Songs+Stories membership is made just for this age group.
It’s kind of like library storytime, but on-demand, and led by speech language pathologists (us!) with a focus on early language and literacy.
Songs+Stories is perfect for the preschool years! It’s a high quality screen time option you’ll feel so good about. (Plus, NEW podcast episodes for toddlers and preschoolers).
you’ve got this!
Preschool is a big transition, but it can also be full of joy, confidence, and connection. You’ve got this! And we’re cheering you on every step of the way.
XO, Carly+Katie
ABOUT WEE TALKERS
Carly Tulloch, M.A., CCC-SLP and Katie Sterbenz, M.S., CCC-SLP, are pediatric speech language therapists with over 25+ years of combined experience, but first and foremost, they’re parents–just like you. Between them, they have six kids and they all have unique and different needs.
Katie is licensed in Arizona and holds a Master’s degree from Arizona State University. With over 13 years of experience, she has worked in hospitals, clinics, schools, and private practice settings. Carly, licensed in British Columbia, has over 15 years of experience and holds a Master’s degree from California State University, Long Beach. She is certified in PROMPT (levels 1 and 2) and has completed Hanen’s It Takes Two To Talk and More Than Words training programs.
As moms and professionals, they understand the challenges parents face. They believe you should never have to navigate your child’s development alone. They’re here to show you how helping your child talk and communicate more can be both doable and fun. You can do this!
You can connect with Katie and Carly on instagram and in Wee Talkers’ programs and memberships.