Whether you are a stay-at-home mom or a high level executive, you are an “expert” at what you do. Not only because you do it day in and day out, but because you have had training and preparation for your job. As a preschool teacher, I too have training; I have prepared for my job; and I am an “expert” at working with that energetic, joyful being known as THE PRESCHOOLER. The following are a few things I’d like to share with you:

1. Your child is tired.
Kids need their ZZZs. Kids play hard when they are at school with their friends. Please help them go to bed earlier, and get more sleep. A two-year-old needs 13 hours of sleep and a 3-year-old needs 12 hours. If they are napping for one hour, that still means 12 and 11 hours per night. An over-tired child has a hard time coping with the physical, social and emotional work of preschool.

2. Dress kids down for school.
Leave the designer duds at home. We know you have cute outfits, but we would prefer to see your child in play clothes. Our job is to give your child opportunities to interact with dirt, sand, paint and mud, and not to worry about their designer duds. Also, please make sure your child has a bag of extra clothes for ‘accidents.’ Those little slip ups in potty training or spilt juices are hard enough; you can ease the situation by providing a comfortable change of play clothes.
Shoes are important too. Please don’t handicap your girls by putting them in “cute” shoes. Sandals, flip flops and dress shoes don’t belong at preschool. We want your child to run, jump and play, not skid, blister and hobble.

3. Skip the daily drama.
Establish a routine for morning drop off and be consistent. Take your time, be positive, and if you need my help, just ask. Most importantly, be sure to say good-bye to your child—even if they are in tears. Sneaking out does not work. Be firm but loving; tell your child you will return and that they will be OK while you are gone. Then go, and trust that I will calm your child and get her involved in an activity. Trust me: the tears usually stop the instant you close the door.

4. Kids are what they eat.
When you pack a lunch, please send something healthy that your child likes and that he can open. Since we usually nap after lunch, avoid sending high sugar items in their lunch. “Fruit” drinks, “fruit” snacks and pre-packaged foods usually contain much more sugar than even a full-grown body needs.

5. Sick kids belong at home.
When a sick child comes to school, he is not able to rest and ends up getting sicker in the long run. Other children are also exposed and a merry-go-round of illnesses begins. Your child could have the very same cold back three weeks from now that you originally brought to school. And while we know that you have responsibilities at work, masking a fever with Tylenol is not fair to your child, the other children or me. It is a fact that children will get sick; your best bet is to have a good support system of back-up care.

6. Turn it all off.
The constant blare of TV, radio or movies clutters up your child’s life with noise and over-stimulation. Your child needs a childhood free of adult issues, concerns and obsessions. Talking with you, playing or just plain daydreaming are better options.

7. Preschool teaching is hard work.
At the end of the day I’m tired and ready to go home too. Please arrive on time for pick up. And if you need to talk with me about an important issue, let’s schedule a time when we are both available, and can have a relaxed and constructive conversation.

Thanks for listening, and I invite you to take advantage of my expertise with little ones any time you have a question or concern, because, like you, I have the best interests of your child at heart.