Become Familiar with the New School

This will be a new place, so familiarizing your child with the school will be an important step in getting them prepared, even if he or she has been in a previous childcare setting. Schedule a time when you can visit the Montessori school with your child. Allow him or her to walk around and get a feel for the place, and possibly, meet with a teacher. Driving past the school several times, so your child begins to recognize the location can also be beneficial.

Provide Your Child with Social Experiences

It is important that your child feels safe and comfortable in the presence of other adults you trust. The ability to stay and enjoy themselves in other environments is critically important preparation for Montessori school. A good place to start is by arranging play dates away from home and away from you. Even dropping your children off at a friend’s home while you run a few errands can be helpful. Take time to explain to your child that you will be gone for a while but will return later. Arriving promptly after the activity or class has ended reinforces to them that you will always return.

Talk About the School and Daily Routine

Your child will gain excitement about starting at Montessori school when they hear you talk about it often. Refer to specific teachers and adults by name so they become familiar with who they will interact with on a daily basis. When talking to your child about the daily routine they will face, keep your descriptions clear, truthful and brief. Understanding what will take place from the time they leave home in the morning, to the time they return at the end of the day, will increase their level of comfort and sense of security.

Encourage Your Child’s Independence with Routine Tasks

When your child is independent with routine tasks at home, they are more likely to be independent at school. At Montessori primary school, children are surrounded by prepared environments that support basic, yet fundamental life skills. Going to the bathroom, getting dressed, helping make and pack lunches, and taking care of personal possessions, are some of the areas where you can encourage your child to be independent.

Be Confident in Your Decision to Enroll Your Child in Our School

The start of school can be just as big of a transition for you as it is for your child, so it’s important that you are confident in your decision to enroll your child in Pebblecreek Montessori. Our staff is dedicated to supporting your family through this process and will answer any questions that may arise during this journey. Pebblecreek Montessori also offers monthly Parent Education nights that are open to the public.