Making preschool a family experience
We wrote yesterday about the Mailman Segal Institute's free class for newborns and their parents, held at Nova Southeastern University in Davie. Today we present a guest post from the institute's dean, Dr. Roni Leiderman, an educator, author, speaker and consultant in the fields of child development, early brain development, family relationships, work/family issues, parenting, and autism. Leiderman shares her memory of sending her little girl to preschool for the very first time, and she reminds us that there's more to the experience than just the first day of school:
I can remember the first day that I took Rachel, then almost 3 years old, to preschool.
I still vividly remember that anxious feeling when Rachel’s hand slipped from mine to her new teacher’s and the pride in my daughter’s budding independence. I can also recall the reflective emotions about my little girl growing up and leaving me plus downright panic and fear that her well being was, for the next 3 hours, in the hands of others.
We have prepared our children with shiny new shoes and fresh new hair cuts and have been there to cheer them on those first weeks. What do we need to do to support ourselves and make the upcoming year the best it can be for the entire family? Here are some ways to make sure that that the school year is a great experience for everyone:
• Spend time talking to your child about school. As the weeks and months progress, continue your conversations with your child. Ask specific questions like, “What was your favorite part of the day?” or “Tell me about the visit from the firemen.” You want to open communication and asking, “How was school?” won’t get you a lot of conversation as you have most likely already experienced!
• Plan play dates. By encouraging relationships with other children, your child will begin to develop friendships, a key to the preschool experience. Plus you’ll get to meet other parents and develop your own friendships and supports.
• Be involved in your child’s school. Join the PTO, volunteer as often as you can, and take on the responsibility of being an active participator in the school. Your involvement will create an important parent/school partnership, will give you an ongoing picture of your child’s experiences and will foster relationships with your child’s teachers.
• Share the unique aspects of your child with her teacher. Is there a special way to soothe your child if she is frightened or hurt? What are her special strengths and challenges? The more your teacher understands your child, the more prepared she will be to make the experience meaningful and enjoyable.
• Be in touch with our own feelings. If you are hesitant about sending your child to school, your child is sure to pick up on it and may mirror your feelings. If you find that you are concerned about your child or the program speak with your child’s teacher or the school’s director. Ask if you can observe your child during the school day to assure yourself that she is happy and safe.
As I look at the photographs we took that first day of preschool, I see Rachel’s beautiful smiling face and her new blue and white striped dress. I also see her holding a red shiny umbrella to shield her from the rain that morning. I always thought I’d be her only “shield” but the experience taught me that I have a competent daughter and there were wise, caring teachers to care for and teach her. By the way, Rachel got through her first days of school just fine. We both made new friends and as the days turned to weeks and then months, I learned valuable lessons about letting go, trusting and enjoying the experience as much as Rachel did.
Click here for more information about the Mailman Segal Institute.
Gretchen Day-Bryant has a son in high school and a daughter in middle school. She’s lived to tell about the struggles of juggling little kids and work.
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Brittany Wallman is the mother of Creed, 15, and Lily, 7, and is married to a journalist, Bob Norman. She covers Broward County government, which is filled with almost as much drama as the Norman household. Almost.
Chris Tiedje is the Social Media Coordinator and the father of a 7-year-old girl, and two boys ages 4 and 3.
Kyara Lomer Camarena has a 2-year-old son, Copelan, and a brand new baby. 
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