Sending a child off to preschool is a bittersweet moment for every parent. You can’t wait for them to begin a new and educative phase of their life, yet it’s hard to let them go.
The right age for preschool will vary from child to child and depends on multiple factors. These pointers will help you to decide if your toddler is ready for it.
Communication
When it comes to communicating, examine your child’s ability to express their basic need. Is he/she able to do it effectively using short words and sentences?
Whether your child can communicate his/her basic needs such as hunger, thirst hurt or need to go to the washroom. Because when they can speak out /non-verbally communicate then it is the right time to send your child to preschool.
Handling physical tiredness
Commonly, children show crankiness when they are not able to get what they want. In a few cases, children feel tired when they do not have the stamina to bear the school hours. The simple activities can make them very tired which might lead to crankiness or sleep. In other words, stamina is important for the child.
Preschool is all about exploring and interactions. So, there are going to be many field trips and different projects that will require both mental and physical stamina. Take some time to evaluate if your child is comfortable undertaking different activities. Another aspect to consider here is your child’s nap time. Though many preschools schedule a nap time, it’s usually only after lunch.
Understand simple instructions
Though preschools do not have strict rules, whether your child can understand simple instructions such as ‘it’s snack time’, and ‘Pick up the toys’ need to be monitored.
Obviously, they learn these as time goes on, but it’s necessary to keep a note of it.
Is your child ready to stick to a timetable at home? Pre-schoolers too have different times for various activities like studying, playing, lunch and nap time. If your child finds it difficult to stick to a schedule, then maybe it’s time to start that practice at home first. You can begin with a simple task of making meal timings, so your child will know that it’s time for a meal. You could also start a bedtime activity, like storytelling!
Handling separation anxiety
Normally, children get panicky when they get to know that they are going to be separated during school hours. So, whether they can handle separation anxiety (except for the initial few days) matters a lot.
Spending time away from parents can be upsetting and stressful for toddlers. Children who have never been away for their parents will have a hard time adjusting to preschool. To ensure a smooth transition, you can prepare your child by helping him make new friends and introducing him to new environments.
Group/peer relationship
Children at this age start to form a relationship. They might choose solitary play or group play but how well they interact with their fellow mates matters a lot. If your child is able to form a good relationship with others, then it is a green signal.
As you consider whether or not your child is ready for preschool, think about how much they have socialized with other children as well as whether or not they can interact with other children in appropriate ways. Hence sending them to preschool is a fair decision when your child can know above mentioned things.
