Preparing your little one for preschool

A good preschool plays a vital role in building a strong foundation to your kid’s future.

The first day of preschool will equally be difficult for the toddler as well as parents – an emotional overflow of excitement, nervousness, unease, sadness and much more…

The aim of a preschool period is to make the toddler generate new friends, learn new skills, and gain confidence and self dependent skills.

Transition from home to preschool needs a lot of intentional effort from the parents and caregivers at home.

Choosing a reputed brand will not alone do the job. Visit the preschool at least a month before the targeted date. Take appointment and talk to the concerned person directly so that each and every point will be crystal clear for you. Make sure that both parents are present during the meeting with the concerned person. Understand the preschool’s mode of operation, rules and regulations, working hours, fee structure and whatever you want to know. Try not to impose or demand anything special for your child. Your child is always special to you, but, we want the toddler to get socially accustomed with the situations.

Take reviews from more than three parents whose children are ongoing in the preschool.

STEPS BEFORE SENDING THE TODDLER TO PRESCHOOL:

1. Always remember that children are like water poured into a container. They will automatically convert their shapes, means they will get used to the circumstances very fast.
2. Create a calm and serene environment in your home.
3. Follow the routine – EARLY TO BED & EARLY TO RISE.
4. Make sure your child goes to bed at a reasonable hour so that he/she gets at least 10 hours of sound sleep at night.
5. Wake your child up around 07:00 a.m on a sweet good note.
6. Encourage him/her to do basic routine including potty passing, brushing and bathing in a stipulated time frame.
7. Offer a healthy breakfast and encourage having it by himself/herself.
8. Give independence a larger focus. Help your child to master self-help skills like washing hands, using the toilet, dressing, undressing etc.
9. Teach basic social skills. Tell about how to express the needs, how to get someone’s attention, take turns etc. Increase the frequency of visits to park, beach, common play area etc. where your child can meet more children.

Developing consistent and predictable routine a month before preschool will make the transition very smooth.

STEPS DURING THE INITIAL PRESCHOOL DAYS:

1. Give the child a feeling that teacher is a person who takes care of children like their mother.
2. Tell your child that preschool is a place where he/she can find a number of sweet friends to play with.
3. Buy needed belongings like school bag, tiffin box, water bottle etc. a week before the first day.
4. Organize, label and introduce all belongings to your child so that he/she can identify it easily during initial days.
5. Submit all the forms and needed documents one or two days prior to the first day.
6. Enquire about the start time in advance and reach with your child on time.
7. Let the child see parents dropping other kids and leaving the school.
8. A new environment and adult intervention may bring anxiety in your kid. It’s natural. No need to worry on that.
9. Make him/her spend an hour in the school on the first day.
10. Slowly elevate the timings. Simultaneously, the kid will find comfort with the teachers and will develop friendship circle.
11. For the initial month, do get in touch with the teacher once/twice in a week.

Remember, you are seeing your child only, but teachers have a lot of experience and can help you in smoothening the transition phase.

The most important points every parent should remember - GIVE YOUR LITTLE ONE A BREATHING PERIOD FOR EVERY TRANSITION. BELIEVE AND TRUST IN THE GREAT INSTITUTION THAT YOU HAVE SELECTED FOR YOUR CHILD.