Preschool or daycare drop-off can be upsetting for little ones and their parents. You know the scenario: The teacher is reaching for them. You’re already late. And your toddler has attached themselves to your leg like a barnacle with opinions.
If you keep re-explaining, the goodbye stretches, and the panic grows. But if you say the same short line every time, the goodbye becomes more predictable, and predictable is what calms a toddler down.
This script for toddlers and preschoolers is deliberately repetitive. Come up with your own version, and say the same words in the same order every morning. Paired with time and patience, this routine should help ease your little one’s separation anxiety.
What to say and do for smoother daycare drop-offs
Parent (kneel down): “You’re safe. Ms. Dana takes care of you. I always come back.”
Kid: “No! Don’t go! Stay!”
Parent: “I know, this part is hard. I’ll miss you too. I’m going to work, then I’ll be back after snack time.”
Then start your goodbye routine, and keep it the same every day. This could be:
- Kissing their palms so they have kisses to “use later”
- Singing a special song
- Giving them a job (“Go put your water away” or “Take this to your teacher”)
- Doing a secret handshake or high five
As soon as the brief routine is over, it’s time to hand your child off and walk away. It may be heart-wrenching for both of you, but long goodbyes don’t actually make it kinder — they only make it longer. You can always cry in the car afterwards if you need to, but in the moment your child needs to know that you’re confident that they’re in a safe place.
Save this script for Monday morning. Send it to whoever does drop-off. And follow us on Instagram (@parentstogether and @scriptsforparents_pt) for more scripts that work at 8:02 a.m.
