What Really Matters Before the First Day: Preschool Readiness Parent Guide

Help families prepare for preschool with warm, practical guidance from Dr. Michelle Peterson. What Really Matters Before the First Day focuses on the everyday skills, relationships, and routines that support a confident beginning.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

• A 70-page full-color illustrated field guide with 17 practical chapters.

• A matching 70-page grayscale edition with the same content and page numbers.

• Linked contents, cited sources, and full typed web addresses alongside PDF hyperlinks.

• A Read Me with printing directions and usage terms.

The guide offers relationship-centered support for independence, bathroom routines, goodbyes, communication, sleep, food, play, choosing a preschool, and the first week—without turning childhood into a checklist.

The Printable Toolkit is sold separately. Choose the Ready for Preschool Complete Bundle to receive both resources.

FORMAT & PRINTING

One ZIP download containing two PDFs and a Read Me. US Letter (8.5 × 11 inches). Print at Actual Size or 100%, and choose only the pages you need. This is a digital download; no physical product is shipped.

USAGE

One purchase covers one household or one educator and their enrolled classroom families. You may print or privately share these PDFs with those families. Other educators need their own licenses. Do not resell, publicly post, or redistribute outside that group.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Michelle Peterson is an early childhood educator, researcher, educational leader, and preschool founder. Her work centers on purposeful play, relationships, and practical support for young children and the adults who care for them.

This resource is educational and does not replace individualized medical, developmental, or therapeutic advice. Illustrations are custom scenes created with AI assistance and human art direction.