Preschool is a crucial part of your child’s development, even if they aren’t learning in the traditional academic sense, they will develop crucial skills that help them meet new people, learn self-discipline and behave when they are in a proper classroom. Some kids find the change from playing at home to going to preschool tricky, though. If you want them to succeed (and not cause a scene), here are some easy tips to prepare them for their first day.
Explore The Concept Via Play
Although your child already knows how to play, preschool play is slightly different. For one, they will be interacting with other kids; a lot of other kids, too, and this coil causes problems if they have problems sharing.
Before they attend their first day at preschool, you can schedule playdates with other kids to encourage them how to play nicely and share. You can also explore other ideas that come from preschools, such as communication and a routine that they will soon need to become familiar with.
Visit Preschools
You shouldn’t send your child to the closest preschool, even if that is convenient. Instead, take the time to visit the best preschools in the area. There are bound to be enough to give you plenty of options, but you also need to think about how your child reacts to them.
If possible, attending the same preschool as existing friends can help your child feel more comfortable when they arrive. It gives them something to latch onto and helps them have fun, as they will be more willing to come out of their shell, especially if they’re typically shy.
Introduce Learning Tools
Adding a learning tool can greatly enhance your child’s enthusiasm and readiness for preschool. Consider integrating educational resources that make learning fun and visually engaging. For instance, you can use free maths colouring sheets from DoodleLearning to mix creativity with basic numeracy skills. These sheets allow children to express themselves artistically while subtly introducing them to the numbers and patterns they will encounter in preschool. This approach not only keeps learning light-hearted but also helps in fine-tuning their motor skills, preparing them for the structured activities they will face in the classroom.
Teach Them Self-Reliance
There are many ways to help your child learn how to look after themselves, and they will need to become familiar with these techniques before they go to preschool. Although they will still get food and drink provided for them, your child should learn how to do other things that you would do.
This can include going to the toilet (although they should still have some supervision), tying their shoelaces or getting dressed by themselves if they do activities outside. By teaching them self-reliance, they will be more capable than other kids, which will help them mature faster.
Identify Any Learning Difficulties
It’s also worth taking your child to a therapist to get early intervention for autism checks or similar treatment for learning difficulties. If you have noticed that your child doesn’t make eye contact or struggles to adapt to new environments, a proper diagnosis will help them, and make it easier for their preschool teachers to manage their needs effectively.
Any decent preschool will have the resources to manage learning difficulties, and if you have confirmation of any conditions, they can offer your child the best help.
Getting Ready
It may still take your child some time to adapt to preschool, but once they settle in and realize they are surrounded by friends, they will look forward to leaving the house (and you) each day. If your child struggles with change, these tips are vital for helping them cope with new experiences and will prevent significant tantrums every morning.
