photo credit: cienpies
It is not unusual to have mixed feelings about sending your preschooler off to school and it’s important to pass your concerns along to your child in way that will not scare them but will teach them to be safe. Some of the most important things you can speak to your preschooler about include:
1. Strangers – While you don’t want your child to be scared of everyone, you do want them to maintain their distance from strangers. Children general believe that all people are good and this is generally true but, unfortunately, it’s not always true. It’s best to teach your children not to talk to, take items from, or go anywhere with someone they do not know very well.
2. Appropriate Adult Behavior – It’s important to talk to your preschooler about what type of behavior is appropriate from adults and what type is not. It’s also important to teach your preschooler that if they ever feel uncomfortable with an adult they should tell you or another trusted adult immediately.
3. School Bus or Car Safety – If your preschooler will be riding a bus to school they will need to learn to sit in their seats, wear their seatbelts (if available), never step out in front of the bus, and listen to the bus driver at all times. If your child will be riding to school in a car the normal rules should be followed, regardless of who takes them to and from school.
4. Playground Safety – Your preschool will typically have outside playtime and it’s important that they know the rules of the playground. They should be taught to stay within their teacher’s site, use the playground equipment properly, share with other children, and never leave the playground premises for any reason.
5. Allergies – If your child is allergic to any foods it’s important to let the teacher know this but also your child so that they know to not eat these specific items. Many young children have allergies to strawberries, chocolate, peanuts, and shell fish. Some children are also lactose intolerant and should be careful when consuming dairy products. If your child is allergic to bee stings or has a drug allergy you should consider having them wear an ID bracelet that announcing this allergy in case of an emergency.
Having your child away from you and in the care of others can be a little scary but it’s also an important part of growing up. Lessons taught at this early age will continue to be built upon as the child grows. Life lessons, like these, can be taught without scaring the child and without making you or your child uncomfortable.
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