You may also want to let your child pick out a couple of outfits for
preschool, or ask what he or she will want for lunch about a week or so before
the big day. Wearing a pair of favorite shoes or eating snacks from home will
help your toddler feel comforted during the day, and provide a sense of
security while you’re away. On the first day of preschool, many schools allow
you to stay for a good portion of the day, so that your child can play and
learn in a new environment, with the security that you’re right in the next
room. If you can make time in your schedule to do this, it could make a big
difference—after a while, your toddler will be excited to go to school in their
own, and you can be confident that your child is in a safe learning
environment, developing the social skills that will be valuable well beyond the
preschool years.