Getting Ready for Preschool

Getting Ready for Preschool

It's getting closer to our new year of preschool! I am very excited and hope that you and your child are too. I often get asked, "What can I do to get my child ready for preschool?" So, here are a few tips that I'd like to pass on.

1. Talk positively about preschool and your child's experience there. Most children are excited just because they know that they are doing something "big" but many don't really know what to expect. You can tell them that they will get to play with toys, listen to stories, meet new friends, make pictures and discover all of the neat things that we have at school.

2. Give them paper, glue, markers, watercolors, crayons, clay and scissors. YEP! Create their own special space where you can arrange simple art supplies. Let your child know that these are his/hers to use to create whatever projects they want. Put it in a place where your child will NOT have to worry about getting glue, etc. on a surface that will cause you grief. The more welcoming and comfortable you make the area, the more apt your child is to want to spend a lot of time there. Lots of parents worry about scissors. Your child will usually only cut his/her hair once and then be satisfied with cutting paper! :) Please buy them Fiskars for kids. These are the best scissors because they actually do cut paper as well as hair. All of these activities promote fine motor development. The more your child can enjoy doing them...the better!

3. Find your name game. We work at name recognition right from the first day of class. It is very helpful for your child to learn to recognize his/her name. Post your child's names on personal items, post your family names around the house. Play games where you child find's his/her name and practice writing it together and spelling it out with letters.

4. Keep reading and talking. The language environment in your home is the key to your child's future academic success. Remember that your child is interested in all that you do and say. (Enjoy this part because someday they WILL be teenagers!) Involve them in all that you do and be involved in what they do. You will find many magical moments through this. Let your child help you shop and make lists and cook and read recipes and clean up.

5. Finally, encourage INDEPENDENCE. This is what preschool is about. We want your child to be independent and confident in his/her abilities and to take initiative. Please encourage this at home.  Don't do for your child what your child can do for himself. Let them choose their clothes, put on their own shoes and coats, carry their own items, pour their own water, serve their own food, and clean up their own space. These are all things that they will be doing in preschool. You will find out that it is joyful for both you and your child to take on this responsibility of independence.

Enjoy each moment. You will find that this year will go very quickly. We have a lot to accomplish together :)