subject: Is Your Child Ready To Go To Preschool? [print this page] In the "olden days," it used to be that a child's enrollment in kindergarten was optional to parents, but children were certainly meant to start school with the first grade. Now kindergarten is typically compulsory, but there is still a great degree of flexibility with preschool, otherwise called nursery school.
There are many factors that go into selecting the prime preschool environment for your child's particular needs, as you very well know, but you need to make considerations that extend beyond the ideal requirements that the school itself should meet.
In fact, more than any other part of this whole process, you need to make a positive determination that your son or daughter is prepared to make the first step into a structure academic setting. Granted, some preschools have more flexible curricula than others, but there are still certain expectations to which both children and parents must conform.
There are some nursery schools that have students in the very young range--between two and a half and three years old--but instead of comparing your child to others, you need to be honest with yourself and with your child in order to make the best decision for everyone involved.
One of the most practical questions you need to answer is whether or not your child is able to independently handle their own basic needs. Obviously, you will want to ensure that your child is fully potty-trained and can go a reasonable amount of time without having an accident.
Is your son or daughter able to communicate rationally with individuals outside of the family? Is their speech intelligible, and are they bold enough to speak to adults to ask for what they need?
Part of the purpose of preschools is to assist each child to develop positive social relationships with their peers, teaching them to interact politely and helpfully with others. Is your little one able to handle such interactions when you are absent? Are they able to share and act nicely toward other young children?
If you aren't sure if they are to that point yet, then you may want to set up regular play dates with neighborhood kids to help them learn under your guidance.
Entering a local nursery school will also mean that your child needs to have a good concept of authority. If your youngster is under the impression that you and Dad are the only ones in charge, they will have a difficult time handling discipline and instructions from a teacher.
This can be particularly difficult if you have been a stay-at-home parent. I do not imply that this is a negative thing, but children that have been in almost constant contact with Mom or Dad might struggle with the transition.
So, as you prepare your child for preschool, take a day or two off and ask a relative or babysitter to watch your child. Daycare may be a good option as well. It may take a little effort to get your child ready, but preschool is a wonderful experience for both you and your child.
by: Art Gib
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