Preparing your Toddler for Preschool

Preparing your toddler for preschool

by Irene Helen Zundel

While preschool is generally a new and exciting experience for children, it can sometimes create anxiety. The environment and daily routines will differ from home, and there will be many kinds of children to get along with.

Here are a few things you can practice at home to help your toddler have a smoother transition from home to school:

Teach cooperative effort.

Have your child share a daily chore with you. (I’ll put the plates on the table, you put the silverware.)

Share simple chores.

Teach your child to put away a toy or book after using it, or have him take out some trash.

Play the name game.

While your child won’t be able to read, teach her to recognize her own name in written form. At school she will likely have a cubby hole with her name on it to store objects, or will have her belongings labeled. Make name tags at home and use them on your child’s bedroom door and personal belongings. Write her name on artwork you put on the refrigerator door. Get a T-shirt or backpack with her name on it.

Give directions for your child to follow.

Make a game out of it. For example, tell your child, "pick up that book, hop on one foot, and put it on your shelf." It will help him learn to follow directions given by the teacher at school.

Let your child make simple decisions, so he will be able to do the same in preschool.

Give choices like "Do you want an apple or orange?" or "Shall we put on your shoes first, or your hat?"

Provide a little structure to her day.

Teach her that some activities occur in a certain order. "First we have lunch, then we take a nap. Bath, then story, then bedtime." It will help her adjust to the scheduled routines of school.

Accelerate opportunities to socialize.

Organize a few play dates before your child begins school. Let your toddler play in small groups of children. It will help her adapt to one-on-one and group interactions in a school setting.

Practice preschool routines.

If your child will be having nap time, let him practice unfolding and folding his sleeping mat. If he will be bringing a lunch, buy a fun lunchbox, and teach him how to pack and unpack it, use the thermos, and what to do with leftovers and trash. In colder weather, teach him how to get in and out of his coat and boots, and how to hang up jackets and scarves.

Get him used to carrying a book bag or backpack.

Give him practice in packing and unpacking it and remembering to bring routine items.

Talk about going to school in a positive manner.

Be a cheerleader and encourage your toddler to go to school and have a great time. Be enthusiastic about the things you buy for school supplies. It will boost your child’s confidence about tackling her new environment.