Appropriate age:
Preschool and Younger

Description of technique:
One way to help kids be more comfortable in school is if they have a chance to meet their classmates before school begins. Have play dates over the summer, and by fall your child will have a few new friends to look forward to seeing each day!

Instructions:
1. Request a copy of the completed class list.
2. Contact some of the families on the list to arrange play dates for the kids over the summer.
3. Go on a picnic or to the park.
4. Talk to your child about how his or her new friends will be part of his new life at school.
5. Talk about how fun it will be to see them all the time and do great projects together.
6. When school begins, your child might feel more comfortable in this transition because he or she already has friends there.