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(HealthNewsDigest.com) – If your child starts preschool this fall, now is the time to begin preparing them for their big first day! There are a number of fun activities parents can engage in with their children to make the transition easier.
Gary Mangiofico, CEO of Los Angeles Universal Preschool (LAUP), a non-profit organization that promotes access to high-quality preschools in Los Angeles County, shares ideas to help make your child’s preschool experience enjoyable and rewarding for both parent and child!
Before the first day of preschool, talk to your child about their new transition. Remind them that once you leave the classroom, there will be a supportive, loving teacher to care for them.
Stay with your child a little longer before leaving to ease their anxiety. Assure your child that you will return in the afternoon to pick them up.
Tour the preschool with your child before the first day of school. Visit important locations like the classroom, bathroom, playground, drop-off/pick-up area, etc. Make sure your child joins you on this visit so they can meet and spend time with their future teacher.
Create a profile/snapshot of your child to share with their new teacher. This profile will provide a unique viewpoint of your child and can include information like their birthday, likes/dislikes, food allergies, medications, important contacts, etc.
Read books with your child about starting preschool such as “What to Expect at Preschool” by Heidi Murkoff or “The Kissing Hand” by Audrey Penn. Discuss how your child is feeling about his/her new classroom, and ask them what they’re most looking forward to about preschool.
Attend preschool-sponsored orientation events to introduce yourself to your child’s new teacher(s). You will also learn what you can do to ensure a positive preschool experience for your child.
Practice going through the first day of school morning routine, like waking up early, brushing your teeth, picking out what to wear, walking/driving to school, etc.
Mangiofico also suggests hiding notes like, “I love you” in your child’s lunch bag or backpack to discover throughout the day, which will help them feel secure. Finally, he recommends asking the teacher how to support your child’s education at home, including developing their social/emotional and academic skills.
Preschool is an important step for your child, an experience that will have a long-lasting impact on their lives. Not only will your child be better prepared for kindergarten and beyond, but they will also enjoy the social benefits, such as making new friends.
For more information on choosing a preschool or about LAUP programs, please visit www.laup.net.
Gary Mangiofico, Ph.D. – Chief Executive Officer
Dr. Gary Mangiofico brings to Los Angeles Universal Preschool (LAUP) an extensive background in child development issues, proven executive leadership and a passion for social change. Dr. Mangiofico serves as Chief Executive Officer at LAUP, an independent, public benefit corporation dedicated to making voluntary, high-quality preschool available to every 4-year old in Los Angeles County.
LAUP was created in 2004 and is funded predominantly by First 5 LA. The organization already supports the operations or development of preschool classrooms that will serve more than 14,500 children throughout the County.
Dr. Mangiofico’s career has been woven through health, education and development sectors; in many ways, his position at LAUP is the culmination of his experiences. He joined LAUP in 2005 to serve as Chief Operations Officer and was instrumental in designing LAUP’s nationally recognized innovative design and service delivery model. His leadership and background in Organizational Psychology has allowed him to steward LAUP to a unique place of having a mission-focused internal culture that supports its staff to high performance and creativity in a supportive, multicultural environment.
Early in his career, Dr. Mangiofico’s research in developmental psychology included exploring the impact of various factors in early childhood learning. Later, he combined his interests in education and organizational development to serve as the architect of program and organizational design for numerous educational initiatives, including the Los Angeles County Office of Education, Head Start, the Los Angeles Unified School District and other school districts across Southern California and the nation.
Dr. Mangiofico has had remarkable success as a private sector executive in the healthcare and professional services sectors. He has served in senior management capacities for a number of healthcare and professional services organizations, ranging from start-up operations to Fortune 50 companies. His extensive experience in turnaround operations includes solving complex organizational challenges, strategic development, operations management and integration, and service delivery.
Dr. Mangiofico received his bachelors and masters degrees from Chapman University and a Ph.D. in Organizational Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology. He is a practitioner faculty member at Pepperdine University’s Graziadio School of Business Management. He is also an active member of the Academy of Management, the American Psychological Association, and the American College of Healthcare Executives.
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