How to Get Your Preschooler to Talk About Their Day

Tips for Encouraging Your Child to Talk About Their Day

Trying to get your toddler to tell you about their day at Preschool? Getting a toddler to open up can be tough. Although, following these easy tips can make it less awkward.

Don't Expect Too Much: Often the child that screams and clings feigns complete disinterest at the end of the day. Don't take it personally, at that age toddlers have trouble transitioning between activities and places. Make pick up just the same as drop off, cheerful, brisk and loving. You may want to even echo the same words you used at drop off "Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Let's wave goodbye" - before you whisk them away to the car.

Try Not To Over Do It: Fight your first impulse to hug and squeeze your little one. I know you missed them, we always do. Although being too aggressive can be overwhelming. Like grown-ups they need time to unwind and decompress. Unless your kids are the type that always needs that extra hug and affection, give them some space.

Once you're home from preschool or daycare, try this...

Offer A Snack: Being in preschool or day-care can often be over stimulating. Some kids forget to eat or drink as much, often getting distracted by their surroundings. Especially when they are first adjusting to preschool or daycare. So offer your toddler a snack and some juice. This will give you the opportunity to sit down with them and gently ask how their day went.

Getting your toddler to open up: Some kiddos will tell you just about everything; what went down the moment you left, most of it will be hard to understand or even disjointed at times. Others struggle to open up, almost giving you the impression that they did nothing, ate nothing and didn't enjoy themselves. If you're overly concerned we suggest you ask the teachers or program director. If not, try one of these clever tricks:

Don't ask what they did- ask for specifics. What did your friend (Sam) say today? What did the teacher read today? What was the snack of the day? Did you enjoy it?
Ask in extremes. What was the worst part of your day? What's the BEST thing you saw or did today? Who was nice to you today? This allows the kiddos to conjure up details and practice using their adjectives.
Get things wrong on purpose. If you know they usually sing ABCD and or something else, mix up the words when you sing it back to them. Your toddler won't be able to resist correcting you. You can even try something a bit nutty, asking something like, "did you eat glue today?" "What no mom, we ate goldfish."
Respect their space and boundaries. Seems like a huge ask, although starting preschool or daycare for the first time is your toddler's first big venture into the world. School is a place where instead of me and mommy time, it's just them and a bunch of their peers. Forging their identity for the very first time. Extending them some privacy and spaces shows respect and support. Allowing them to blossom and adjust to childcare in their own way.

-Alpha Kids Marketing Director-

For More Behavior Tips and Tricks Click Here.

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How to Prepare Your Child for Their First Day of Daycare

February 19, 2026

The first day of daycare is an exciting milestone, but it can also bring big emotions for both children and parents. At Alpha Kids Academy, we work closely with families in the San Francisco, Novato, and Menlo Park, CA areas to help make this transition as smooth and positive as possible. With a little preparation, your child can begin their daycare journey feeling confident, secure, and ready to learn. Talk About Daycare Ahead of Time Children feel more comfortable when they know what to expect. Start talking about daycare several days or weeks in advance. Describe it as a safe, fun place where they will play, learn, and make new friends. Use positive language when discussing preschool and childcare so your child associates the experience with excitement rather than anxiety. Reading books about daycare or role-playing drop-off routines can also help younger children understand what the day will look like. Establish a Consistent Routine A predictable routine helps children feel secure, especially when they are very young. Before daycare begins, adjust bedtime and morning schedules to match what your child will follow during the week. Consistent wake-up times, meals, and naps can reduce stress and make mornings easier once daycare starts. This structure supports healthy transitions and prepares your child for a preschool environment where routines play an important role in learning and development. Encourage Independence at Home Simple skills like putting on shoes, washing hands, or cleaning up toys can boost your child’s confidence at daycare. Practicing these habits at home helps children feel capable and comfortable in a childcare setting. Independence also supports smoother classroom transitions and helps children feel proud of their growing abilities. Visit the Daycare Together If possible, visit the daycare with your child before their first official day. Seeing the classroom, meeting teachers, and exploring the space can reduce fear of the unknown. Familiar surroundings make it easier for children to separate from parents on their first day. At Alpha Kids Academy, we believe that strong relationships between families, children, and teachers are key to a successful daycare experience. Keep Goodbyes Calm and Positive On the first day, keep drop-offs brief and reassuring. Let your child know when you will return and follow through on your promise. A calm, confident goodbye helps your child feel safe and supported. Even if there are a few tears, most children adjust quickly once they become engaged in activities and connect with our caregivers. Trust the Process It’s normal for children to need time to adjust to daycare. With patience, consistency, and encouragement, most children thrive in a nurturing preschool environment. Quality childcare supports social development, early learning, and emotional growth during these important early years. At Alpha Kids Academy , we are proud to support families in San Francisco , Novato , and Menlo Park, CA by providing a safe, engaging, and welcoming daycare experience that helps children grow with confidence.