Hi, Parents! Happy to be back here with you all. I’m preparing my little man to attend preschool this fall. Now that it’s almost here, it feels like a very big deal.
I want my little gremlin boy to be as prepared as possible to be successful in this new adventure. So here is everything I’ve learned about preparing little ones for preschool.
Practice at Home
First things first, it can be super helpful for kiddos to practice their independence. This consists of tasks such as taking off their shoes and putting them on. Set them up for success by providing shoes that are either slip on or velcro straps. Practice at home as you prepare your little one for preschool.
Another task to practice ahead of time is taking off a jacket and putting it on.
And, of course, the big one: Going to the bathroom! A lot of kiddos are newly potty trained and might need a little assistance with getting ready to do things more independently. We’re talking proper wiping and hand washing.
Social Skills
Another big part of preparing kiddos for preschool is interacting with other children to build their social and emotional skills. If you’re a parent of multiple young children or your child has been attending daycare for a while now, they might already have a lot of these things down. I’m referring to sharing, taking turns and asking for what they need.
One good way to get your child interacting with other little gremlins is to bite the bullet and set up the playdate. I know how hard this can be. We live in an area where we don’t have relatives or friends nearby who have children the same age as my son.
So, last year, we enrolled our little guy in a preschool prep program two hours a week for the opportunity to interact with children his age. We’ve also got him signed up for a gymnastics class once a week at our local rec center.
Schedule Adjustment
Next, depending on your family’s current sleep schedule, it can be incredibly helpful to adjust bedtime and morning routines to mirror when school starts.
This way they have a bit more time to adjust to the new schedule and won’t feel rushed in the mornings to get out the door one time.
Get Excited!
Another aspect of making the transition as seamless as possible is to take your kiddo to visit the preschool. If they offer an open house prior to school starting, take your little one!
An open house is a great opportunity to get our children acquainted with the new environment.
Show your child their classroom. Have them meet their teacher and show them where their cubby is at.
It’s super helpful for us parents to talk about preschool starting like it’s the super bowl. This is the most exciting thing your child has ever done! We want them to be THAT excited.
Comfort in Routines
My last stop on the “Get Ready for Preschool” tour is one I think you’re going to love.
Come up with a goodbye routine.
It’s the same every time you drop them off. It could be an exploding fist bump, three kisses on the forehead or a secret handshake.
Whatever it is that you and your little one come up, it will add a layer of routine and consistency that your child’s nervous system may thank you for.
There you have it, parents! Your get-ready-for-preschool checklist. Let me know how it goes, and I’ll see you next week!
Sophie Hamel is a freelance writer and works as a crisis responder. Her son is three years old.
Luminous removes the hassle of arranging for tuition vouchers and helps make childcare affordable. Vouchers can help ease your financial stress. Learn more about qualifying for HRA and ACS vouchers at our Bronx and Brooklyn centers. Payment can also be made by SEIU/1199 Child Care, check, credit card, and through the Luminous reimbursement program. Contact Luminous Early Childhood Learning Center at [email protected]or call us at 929.228.1180.