Tips on Preparing Your Child for Preschool

Congratulations: Your child is so close to starting his or her first year of schooling. For some children, like my son, it's a very exciting time - a time for buying new clothes, a backpack, meeting a new teacher and making friends. They make it easy. Some children need a bit more coaxing out to be ready for school.

First off, you know your child best. You know what kind of person they are. My son is an open, warm, energetic child who is so excited to go to school since the first day we told him. His friend however is the opposite. He is a shy, withdrawn child who has been frightened by the prospect of leaving his mother for 4 hours for school.

With his friend, I have taken time to sit down and talk with both boys about what his school means. Preschool isn't about learning adding and subtracting so much as its is about getting your child used to a structured system where mom and dad aren't around. For instance, our school is 4 hours long, it starts with breakfast, group time, open room which is play time, music or outdoors play time, story time, group time/clean up lunch. then going home. As i explained to the 4 year olds, its a lot of play time with other children.

It was enough to get my son interested in school, but his friend was another story. So next his mother and I, took our sons school shopping. Because the preschool is government funded, we don't need to supply basic school supplies but the children still need a few items. My son chose a fun spider man backpack with wheels on it. We also picked out some new school clothes as well as a few special outfits to keep with him at school. We bought some basic school supplies for at home to help with his projects that he might have.

Knowing that the two friends were going to be in the same class really helped my sons friend feel more comfortable with school.

There are some other ways you can help your child feel more comfortable with school. For instance, my preschool has an open door policy. Any parent is welcome to come to school at any time with their child and spend the day. You can also volunteer to be a class mother, help with projects, go on field trips, and many others. Just ask your child's teacher to see how you can help. For instance, i am helping by creating fliers and programs for each event for the children and parents. Ive also joined some parenting classes that the school is offering to the parents in various areas.

Before your child goes to preschool you should mark the day on the calender. I put a huge red circle on the calender and put a countdown on the computer that my son can look at any time. It makes him excited to see the days change and school get closer. As he watches that, we are also getting him to bed earlier and up earlier. We want him on the proper schedule for school which for us, means some adjustments Pick out an outfit for the first day of school. Perhaps an old favorite or something new that your child adores. Letting them choose their clothes can help boost their confidence.

Go with your child on their first day. Its very tempting to allow school funded transportation to take your child to school, but know that they are a little person who for all their bravado might not be as comfortable as you might want to believe. Even though my son is bouncing off the walls and ready for school, I want him to be comfortable and not be afraid to go to school.

And plan for problems. Some children aren't comfortable leaving their parents just yet, make sure ahead of time its all right for you to sit in the class if your child is afraid to leave you just yet. Know that young children, if afraid might wet their pants and plan accordingly with extra clothes to leave at school. And if your child simply isn't ready to go to school then let them stay home. Don t force them into an environment that they aren't comfortable with yet. Some children need more time then others.