To Do: Role play what the first day of school/preschool will be like.
Time: 15-30 minutes
Materials: Ride in the car, stuff you usually take to school
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To ease the jitters of going back to school, or preparing for any big life event, try role playing.

Your child loves knowing what comes next. Help them prepare mentally and feel comfortable with new experiences by speaking often and positively about what’s going to happen.

To role play back to school, try these ideas!

1. Practice your morning routine: Go step by step through what you need to do in the morning to prepare for school. From packing a lunch to getting out the door, a few practice runs will go a long way.
2. Drive your normal route: Actually get in the car and drive past school. Say, “How exciting! In 5 days you will be going to this school for the morning, then I will pick you up at lunch time.”
3. Practice shaking hands: What happens when you get to school? Pretend that you’re the teacher and practice how to greet someone to break the ice.

A little preparation can go a long way. Your child loves being prepared, so help them ease into a new experience by practicing ahead of time!

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