Appropriate age:
Preschool and Younger

Description of technique:
Find stories to read with your child that talk about starting school. Through these books you will be able to create a dialogue with your child on what to expect and be excited about.

Instructions:
1. Go to your local library/bookstore to find books that discuss the issue of starting school.
2. Make a special time to read with your child.
3. Make references to the characters in the book that have feelings similar to those of your child about school.
4. Be open and honest in answering your childĘs questions.
5. Be excited when you talk about school.
6. Assure your child that you will stay with him or her until he or she is ready for you to go.
7. On that first day, you can use the stories as references to remind your child that everything is going to be okay.