Helping Our Daughter Transition from Preschool to Reception: A Journey in Emotional Intelligence
This September, our daughter will be starting reception. For her, it’s the beginning of a new adventure. For us, as working parents, it feels like the end of one chapter and the start of another. But what has amazed us most in this journey isn’t just the practical side of getting ready for school — it’s watching how aware she is of her own feelings, and how she balances the sadness of leaving preschool with the excitement of stepping into a new world.
Saying Goodbye: The Bittersweet Side of Growing Up
When she first realised that preschool was coming to an end, she surprised us with her emotional awareness. She told us she would miss her teachers and friends, and we could see a quiet sadness in her eyes. At such a young age, she was able to name her feelings — “I’ll feel sad when I don’t see my friends every day.”
As parents, it reminded us that transitions are not only about logistics (uniforms, lunchboxes, and drop-offs). They’re also about emotional resilience. Children may not have all the words, but they can feel deeply — and acknowledging that is the first step to helping them.
Embracing Excitement: Looking Forward to Reception
At the same time, she has been showing genuine excitement about her new school. She talks about wearing her uniform, meeting her new teacher, and making “new friends who will play with me.”
This dual awareness — feeling sadness and excitement side by side — is emotional intelligence in action. It shows she is learning that it’s okay to carry two feelings at once. And for us as parents, it’s a reminder that we can support her by celebrating the joy while holding space for the sadness.
How We’re Supporting Her Emotional Journey
Here are a few ways we plan to nurture her emotional intelligence during this transition:
- Naming emotions together: When she says she feels sad, we repeat it back: “Yes, you’re sad about leaving preschool. That makes sense.” This validates her feelings.
- Storytelling: We read books about starting school where characters also feel nervous and excited. It helps her see she’s not alone. We loved reading the ‘Starting School’ picture book, which gently explains what to expect.
- Memory-making: We’re creating a little photo book of preschool memories so she can look back whenever she misses her old friends.
- Focusing on positives: Each evening, we talk about one fun thing she’s looking forward to at her new school.
What We’re Learning as Parents
This journey is teaching us, too. Emotional intelligence isn’t something that appears overnight — it grows with small, everyday conversations. As full-time working parents, we sometimes rush through routines, but slowing down to listen has made all the difference.
By letting her express her feelings without trying to “fix” them immediately, we’re showing her that emotions are not problems — they’re guides. And in many ways, she is teaching us as much as we are teaching her.
Transitions are never easy — whether you’re four or forty. But watching our daughter navigate this big step with honesty and courage gives us hope. She will carry her preschool memories with her while stepping into the unknown with excitement. And as parents, we’ll walk beside her, learning how to raise not just a student, but a child who knows and values her feelings.
Photo Credits: Pexels
