• Engage in natural conversations with children about what they might be feeling. Children who feel secure and comfortably able to talk about their concerns, needs or ideas will likely enter new situations with more ease.
• Be calm and supportive. Too much enthusiastic talk about the transition might send the message that you are anxious and cause unnecessary fears.
• Visit the new school or classroom. Visibly being able to picture yourself in an environment can help ease the fears of the unknown.
• To ease separation anxiety, it helps when parents can establish a ritual such as a big bear hug and a wave at the window to provide a comforting good-bye routine for their child.

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach has an excellent publication, Early Learning – Preschool and Kindergarten Ahead (PM2081A) to share with families helping their children get ready for this new adventure.

Books can be a great way to introduce a major transition such as starting school to young children.  This naturally opens the door of communication to help you support a child in this new endeavor. Here are some of my favorites –

• Back to School Tortoise is a great book (with a surprise ending!) for those that might be a bit anxious as Tortoise is worried about falling down or not liking lunch.

• Wow! School! would be a great read for those that are enthusiastic about starting school as Izzy shows that same emotion.  Children will love seeing familiar items in the drawings such as a few of their favorite books.

This is only the tip of the iceberg! There are always the classics such as Spot Goes to School and Maisy Goes to Preschool.   Do you have a favorite children’s literature you share with children at this time of year?