Whether it’s the right time for your kid to start Preschool or not? Is the most confusing question most of the parent’s face. Basically, preschools are the first most step towards helping a kid nurture their own self. This is the very first time your little one starts to recognize its own capabilities and explore the big world out there.
Benefits of sending to preschool
Opportunity for growth
Preschools provide opportunity to learn to share and follow instructions. It lays the foundation for elementary school and provide an experience in a structured setting with teachers and groups of children.
Promotes social and emotional development
Preschools provide opportunity to learn social skills and emotional self-control. As the student and teacher ratio is less, so teachers build a close personal connection with each child in their care. A child learns to spend time away from parents and build trusting relationships with adults outside the family.
Promotes language and cognitive skills
Between the ages of 2 and 5, a child’s vocabulary grows from 800 to 2,000 words, and their sentences become more complex. Children get many opportunities to read-aloud books, act out stories, sing and dance which enriches their vocabulary. Activities like playing and eating meals together, sharing toys and participating in group activities, promote a sense of belonging and will nurture your child emotionally as well as develop his social skills.
Promote their motor skills
Your child will adore all the extra-curricular activities that preschool offers. They will be involved in so many activities such as art, crafts, jumping and climbing which will help develop their motor skills.
Now we have understood that preschool structure has many benefits for your children but before that we need to decide if your child is ready for preschool.
Is your child ready for preschool?
As a parent, sending to preschool can indeed be one of your major concerns, because you will have to take up new responsibilities. Hence to help you start better, here are some important tips you can consider before you are planning to prepare your child for preschool
Communication:
My daughter went to the preschool at the age of 2 years 7 months. The most important milestone I wanted to be sure of was communication at that time, and I would suggest you to go for the same now too. This is because when you child is unable to communicate their issues to everyone, they will get more frustrated than ever, and might end up creating an aversion to school. It also makes the child-teacher bond more comfortable than ever.
Potty Trained
Most of the pre-school nowadays admit those children who are potty-trained. Hence, before admission, do ensure that your child is trained. In my case, they have helped me in potty training her. When she saw her classmates using washrooms. She developed the habit of using the seat comfortably!
Ready to spend time apart:
Children will face hard time to adjust in preschool if they have never been away for the parent. You need to prepare your child by helping them stay away from you for shorter periods. You could try leaving them with a friend, family member or neighbour while go for a quick walk to grocery store. Your child must be emotionally strong enough to handle separation
Physical Stamina for Preschool:
Make sure that your child has enough stamina to stay in the school for three long hours. You can also try dropping mid-morning nap, as it’s quite not essential. Still, most of the day-cares give small breaks to help the child get a good nap.
Can they follow Routine in preschool?
Preschoolers have different schedules and routines for various activities like studying, playing, lunch and nap time. Your child should know this skill to move from one activity to the next as a class before moving to preschool. If your child finds it difficult to transitions, then maybe it’s time to start that practice at home first. Follow the same order in which activities occur like meals, playtime, outdoor time, story time, and snacks at home too.
Independence
Your child must have basic ability to eat and drink water on their own. Is your child independent enough to complete art project on his own? Start practising of independent play time at home. It’s seen that child above 2 years are more likely to interact better with other kids in the preschool
Nowadays, most of the preschools have shorter working hours as compared to previous times. This basically prepares the little one to understand the formal school working hours. As a mother, it would be not easier for you to let your child stay away from yourself for a while. But with each brave step comes a lot of challenges which you have to take to reach the milestone. And basically, there is no right age to start with pre-schooling, don’t stress up more, and go ahead with the flow!
this year, I’m participating in #BlogchatterA2Z powered by theblogchatter.com
‘This post is part of Blogchatter’s CauseAChatter‘
I am writing 26 post in this series .Do check my earlier post
E:Benefits of Bath Time for Cognitive and Emotional Development
F: Tips for Introducing Solid Foods to Babies
H-Ways to Handle Toddler Temper Tantrums
I- Tips to Encourage Independent Play Time
K:Importance of Kisses and Hugs for The Little One
Two and a half years is perfect for play school but I have seen parents these days sending them at 18 months itself. Kids cry and don’t mingle as they cannot talk or get bullied Potty training is a must I feel or it is very embarrassing for the kids. But right now all are caged indoors.
You have picked a v vital topic today Jyoti and indeed have done great justice to it
Preschool is the first step to a child’s educational ladder. I liked the pointers listed under “is your child ready for preschool,” these will surely help parents take decisions timely and properly.
yes sending kids to preschool offers many benefits but it is equally important to prepare kids for that experience. you had shared really great pointers, will help many new parents.
Every kid’s growth is different and I feel as a parent we need to understand when your child is ready to go preschool!!
This is a very valid post for all new parents wondering the right age for their kids to go to pre school.
Once kids become toddlers parents start worrying a out preschool and your list has all necessary information relating to it
The role of preschool in the overall development of kids cannot be overlooked. Great tips that will surely help new parents to keep track of their growth and readiness for pre-school.
Loved the points you have elucidated though i am not in favour of preschool for kids. I don’t feel theu actually serve any purpose.
Deepika Sharma
Thanks for sharing significant pointers about the right age and other learnings before introducing toddlers to preschool. My daughter is 2.4YO. I am on the way to practicing these.
Both my kids were super excited to join preschool and never refused to go. It helps if they can eat themselves and are potty trained to avoid mishaps.
Both my kids were very energetic to divert their energy I had to send them quite early and it turned out to be our best decision. They have learned socializing and become quite independent
Today’s life is very demanding and the child needs to be prepared for the same. We used to begin schooling at 4, today it has to be 2.5/3 years based on the child’s health and alertness.