For many families, Preschool is a child’s first academic experience outside the home. Families have many different childcare options for the first few years of life, whether it is a traditional or in-home daycare, staying at home with Mom or Dad or another family member, or staying with a nanny. Preschool differs from these options in that it operates more like a traditional school, with different hours, holidays, and a distinct focus on preparing 3 and 4-year-olds for Kindergarten. But how should parents prepare their children for Preschool?
If you’re feeling confused about how to know if your child is ready for Preschool, fear not! Preschool is designed to be a gentle introduction into the world of school, and the teachers understand that a big part of their job is teaching young children “how to do school”. But there are a few things parents can help their children with at home to ease the Preschool transition. In this article we will examine a few readiness skills and discuss how you can build these with your soon-to-be Preschooler.
Ability to Separate from Parents Temporarily
The transition to Preschool will be much easier if it isn’t the first time your child has ever been away from you. It’s certainly normal for 3 and 4-year-olds to cry when left in an unfamiliar setting, but does your child have the ability to calm down and enjoy the new experience after a while?
You can practice this skill by leaving your child with a safe caregiver for gradually lengthening amounts of time. Start with someone they are familiar with, like Grandma. Start with a 30-minute visit and gradually increase the amount of time with each visit. Let her see that you always come back.
Many parents like to take advantage of the drop in childcare option at the gym or YMCA. This allows her to get used to being in new surroundings for a short period of time. Try 15 or 20 minutes and gradually build up to longer amounts of time. Another option is to research a drop-in Mother’s Day Out program in your area. Many parents love the convenience of dropping their child off for a few hours one or two mornings a week, and it allows the child a chance to grow comfortable with a classroom-like setting.
When you drop off your child with caregivers, don’t ever sneak away. Even if she is crying, always tell her goodbye, give a hug or kiss, and tell her you will be back soon. Sneaking away while she is distracted will make her more fearful of the process and just draw the separation anxiety out unnecessarily. When you return, give her a big hug and smile, and tell her how happy you are to see her.
Understands Routine
If your child has been in daycare, he is probably used to a daily routine. But even if he stays at home with a parent or caregiver during the day, he can learn to understand and anticipate a flexible daily routine. Think about how your day is structured – does he have meals and take a nap at the same time every day? Does he understand the general flow of the day and anticipate what is coming next? If so, he is likely ready for the stronger structure of a Preschool classroom.
If not, that’s OK! It’s never too late to implement a daily routine. Make sure he wakes up at around the same time every day, even if that means you have to wake him up some days. Set a daily schedule for meals and naptime and try to stick to it as much as possible. Talk about the routine as you go about your day. “It’s almost 1:00. Time to read a story and get ready for your nap. Then when you wake up, we will have a snack and go to the park.” Children like knowing what will happen next, and this will prepare him for the routines of life at school.
Plays Independently for Short Amounts of Time
Is your child able to entertain herself briefly while you do chores around the house, or does she always need an adult playing or sitting with her? While Preschool will involve short activities with lots of transitions to keep students engaged, the children will be expected to stay in one spot doing one activity for 10 or 15 minutes. Fortunately, this is an easy skill to practice at home. Explain to your child that they are going to practice playing on their own without coming to you for help for a set amount of time. This could be as short as a few minutes, depending on her level of independence. Set a timer. Gradually increase the amount of time until she can play independently for at least 10 minutes. Celebrate with her when she succeeds. Explain that she is learning to be ready for school!
Enjoys Socializing with Peers
Has your child been around other kids near his age in a group before? Even if not in a formal classroom setting, it is extremely beneficial to them if they know how to interact with other children. Does your child play with friends at the park or on play dates at friends’ homes? Does he understand the concept of sharing and taking turns? Of course, three and four-year-olds are still perfecting these skills, but it is important that he has some practice. Try informal meetups with friends or with a local parents’ group. The informal drop-in childcare options mentioned above are also great practice!
Below are a few game ideas to practice turn-taking. These games also incorporate anticipation, which helps with attention.
Can Sit and Listen to a Story
We all know 3 and 4-year-olds are always on the move, but for Preschool, they will be expected to listen to short read-alouds or listen while the teacher gives instructions. Practice by playing School at home. Make it fun by setting up a “classroom” area. Pretend to be the teacher and ask your child to practice getting ready for Big Kid School by listening while you read a story. Then turn it around and ask him to be the teacher while you sit and listen. He will love the fun game and it will help develop his listening skills!
Here are some ideas for Storytelling Games for Kids.
Another great option is library storytime. Besides the important socialization aspect, children get experience listening to read-alouds and following adult instructions in a group. This will help set him up for success in Preschool, as he will know exactly what to do.
Joins in Group Activities
Besides the ability to sit and listen, your Preschooler will take part in many shared group activities at school. This could include singing songs and finger plays, working with a group on a shared art project, or playing group games such as “Simon Says” or “Red Rover”. Is she familiar and comfortable joining in with groups?
Exposure is key here. This is another instance where informal group settings such as storytime at the library or a kid’s program at the YMCA can help. Let her get comfortable participating in group activities while you are nearby. She may be shy at first, but once she begins to feel more confident and independent, she will be a natural at joining in with the group.
If you have the opportunity to be around a few kids, here are some fun ideas that you can play as a group.
Follows Simple Instructions
If you ask your child to perform a simple task, such as bringing you her rainboots or putting her blocks away, is she able to? Upon entering Preschool, children should be able to understand and follow one and two-step instructions easily. This skill can be easy and fun to practice. Give her special “jobs” that are just hers, such as putting away her toothbrush or putting food in the dog’s bowl. She will feel so grown up practicing her independence in this way!
As she becomes familiar with these jobs, you can gradually begin asking her to do slightly more complex tasks that may require her to think and plan. You might say “Please go get the red basket from the kitchen and bring it to me.” If she needs a little help, just walk through the steps with her. “What should we do first? That’s right, first let’s go to the kitchen.” Praise her hard work in following through with the task.
Here are some fun game ideas to work on following steps.
Communicates with Peers and Adults
Can your child communicate his wants and needs to adults? Can she say her name when asked? As a parent, you may be able to anticipate your child’s needs before she asks, but she will need to be able to use words to speak to her teachers at school. Practice by showing her how to use words to ask for what she needs. If she hands you her yogurt to open, show her how to say “Can you open this, please?”
Talk about how we use words to help others know what we want. Explain how we use the words “please” and “thank you” to be nice and make other people feel good. Like any new skill, simply model it and allow her opportunities to practice. The more she is around other people, whether adults or children her age, the more comfortable she will be speaking up.
Can be Understood by Adults
Equally important as the ability to speak up to communicate is the ability to be understood. Can adults other than his parents understand the majority of what your child says? If you’re not sure, ask a grandparent, friend, or another objective third party to observe your child speak. How much are they able to understand?
If adults other than his primary caregivers have difficulty understanding the majority your child’s speech by age three, be sure to bring it up with his pediatrician. It’s possible he may need more intervention in case of a speech delay. This would not keep him from enrolling in Preschool, but a formal evaluation and diagnosis could help him get the support he needs in school.
Is Potty Trained
Unlike daycare where diaper changes come with the territory, most Preschools expect children to be potty trained and out of pullups by the time they begin. Before enrolling your child, make sure you understand the specific requirements of your Preschool. If they do require children to be potty trained, make sure yours will be ready to go before school begins. Your child should also be able to use the restroom and wash hands without assistance before school begins. Practice makes perfect, so reinforce these skills in the months before Preschool begins.
Can Hold and Use Writing Utensils
Children won’t be expected know how to write upon entering Preschool, but it helps if they have some familiarity with holding crayons or age appropriate pencils (look for jumbo sized ones made for Preschoolers), and are at least familiar with what writing looks like. Practice by giving your child a few crayons and a paper and time to explore. Ask him to tell you about what he drew. Praise his effort and continue giving him exploration time with writing utensils daily.
Here are 8 Different Toys That Help Develop Fine Motor Skills in Preschoolers and 17 Fine Motor Toy Ideas.
You might show him his first name written out and name the letters. He will be delighted and may even begin attempting to write out the first few letters himself. Don’t worry about legibility or letter formation just yet. Congratulate him on working hard to write his name!
Although a new environment like Preschool can be scary for kids and parents, it is also an amazing opportunity. Preschool is where your child will learn the skills to prepare her for Kindergarten! Help your child prepare for the new experience by talking about how exciting it is. Discuss some of the fun things she will do in her new class and all the new friends she will make. Remember that your child’s attitude toward school is shaped by your own attitude, so be positive.
In the weeks leading up to the big day, read some books about starting school, such as Rosie Goes to Preschool by Karen Katz. When her first day finally arrives, drop her off with a smile and a hug. When it’s over, she will be so happy to tell you about her day at school.