The first day of preschool

Before the first day

• Visit if you can, and practise the morning and the goodbye ritual at home before you have to part for real.^{1, 3}
• Let your child carry something from home, such as a small blanket or toy, to help the move from home to school.^{1, 3}

At the door

• Keep the goodbye short and sweet, and use the same ritual at the same time each day.^{1, 2, 3}
• Say goodbye every time. Sneaking away can make a child worry that you might disappear at any moment.²
• Say when you will be back using what happens that day, such as "after nap time and before afternoon snack."¹

If it is hard

Separation anxiety does not last forever. If drop-off stays very hard for several weeks, talk with the teacher and your pediatrician.

• Separation anxiety will not last forever, and a consistent goodbye helps.²

About our story

In Tully's First Day, Tully carries home, his shell, into class. There is a job right after the goodbye, and the return is named in plain terms: after snack and the song. That is our own telling, made for ages 3 to 4.