We are so very excited for your little one’s first day of Preschool! This is a big day for your entire family, and there is bound to be a mix of emotions for everyone. Zelienople Preschool has been educating little scholars for over 60 years! That’s over 60 first days of school! Over the years we’ve learned what can make or break the first day for new students. In this post, we will share helpful tips for the first day of Preschool.
Every child coming to Zelienople Preschool is unique. Some have been in daycare or other activities away from their parents, and for other students this will be their very first time. For many of the children, this might be their experience in a group situation or a group learning experience and are therefore just learning how to listen to adults, share, and follow a routine. Whether you have the social butter who talks to everyone, or the child who slowly warms up to a new situation, our teachers and staff are experts in helping them feel right at home.
Tip #1: Hype School Up
If you are excited about their first day of school and about them going to preschool, they will come to learn that it is something to be excited about. Talk about how much fun they will have. Explain to them how they will have the chance to meet new friends, and learn new things. In preschool we sing, dance, play games, and explore all to learn and grow!
Tip #2: Be Excited For Them
This is a big step for your little one, and for you as a parent. It is totally normal to feel a bit of trepidation or a tinge of sadness. Your baby after all, is growing up. But if you show them how much fun school will be, you will genuinely start to get excited for them as well.
Tip #3: Talk Them Through It
When you talk your child through the new routine, there is less to worry about or be afraid of. Talk them through being dropped off at school and what pickup will be like. Let them know that they will have the chance to bring snack, be the line leader, and feed the fish! We will read stories, learn our letters, and numbers, and sing songs. We will share more about our routines, here over the summer and at our Parent Orientation Night on Thursday August 13th 2026.
Tip #4: Play Pretend
Kids love playing pretend and this is a great way to help them live the school experience before the first day of school. It will give them chances to ask questions and work through different situations. Practice using the potty with them and learning how to ask a grownup to use the potty during the school day.
Playing pretend will allow them to take a turn being the teacher and feeling more in control of a situation that might feel overwhelming. Their stuffies can stand in as students, even take a turn yourself! Playing together helps to increase the bond that they feel with you while they practice their first time being away from you.
Tip #5: Tears Happen
It’s okay if there are tears on the first day of school. It can be helpful though if you save yours for the car after drop off. Our first day of school will have staggered drop off times to help make this transition less daunting for parents and children. Your child might also be fine, and then have some tears well up if or when another child cries. It’s all normal for the first day of preschool. Just hug them tight, and remind them that grownups always come back.