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Preschool graduation is one of those things that some think to be silly – “Oh, it’s just preschool!” they’ll say.

And I can’t help but question if they’ve ever had preschoolers because, let me tell you – the friendships they form at 4 or 5 years old are some of the sweetest, strongest bonds. It’s tough if their class will go to different kindergartens, which happens to be the case for my firstborn and his preschool classmates.

Now, I’m by no means an expert in this area. As I’m writing this, we’re still five days away from graduation, but what better way to share my insight than in real-time?

How to Prepare Your Child to Graduate From Preschool

I’ve noticed with all the little ones that they’re all struggling in one way or another. One of the silliest in the class is suddenly somber. One of the calmest now acts out. And oh the tears…lots and lots of tears.

My son, in particular, has been exceptionally emotional, which prompted this post. We were watching TV this morning, and one of those “Save the Dogs!!” commercials came on. I didn’t even realize he was paying attention until he started sobbing. We were able to talk it through, and sure enough, the root of it all is that he keeps thinking about graduation.

Expect Big Emotions

These little ones have some of the biggest emotions.

So if you’ve got a little one preparing for the end of the school year (even if s/he’s not graduating!), expect their emotions to be harder to control than normal. Even those who cannot fully explain their feelings can sense a change in their routine. And let’s face it – change in routine is hard, no matter the age!

Preparing for Graduation Day

We’re very lucky that our school holds a small ceremony to celebrate those moving on to kindergarten. The program calls it a “Celebration of Our Stars.”

It’s very important to frame graduation day as a celebration.

Because let’s be honest, the preschoolers aren’t the only ones struggling with their emotions. So, while there will almost certainly be tears (heck, I can’t even get through this post without crying!) it’s important to remember what a fun day it’ll be.

Whether it’s a full cap-and-gown ceremony or a simple potluck-style celebration, it’s sure to be a memorable day for everyone. Talk to your little one about what to expect on the day of. While the teacher will be walking them through the day’s set-up, you really can’t go wrong reinforcing the expectations.

Preschool Celebration Ideas

Whether your school is doing an actual graduation or not, there are many ways to celebrate! Honestly, one of the best ways to help with the transition from school to summer is to commemorate it as a family.

If you have a big family or friends looking to join in the celebration, potluck is always a great way to go. If your school isn’t doing a graduation ceremony, you could also reach out to the other kids’ parents to see if they want to potluck together.

A slideshow is also a fun way to celebrate. It doesn’t have to be super time-consuming, especially if you already have an album (on Facebook or otherwise) documenting some of their best times at school.

And even though this site is about leading you to a richer life, I recommend you consider buying a small gift for your child to celebrate the day. If they’re moving on to kindergarten, consider taking them to pick out their backpack for next year. Books are, of course, also a great route to take!

Regardless of how you celebrate the day, don’t forget to take a moment to soak it all in. If these last five years have taught me anything, it’s that time goes by so much faster than we ever realize.

Do you remember the day you graduated from preschool?

Comment below, I’d love for you to share your memories!

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