Preschool without tears!

Getting ready for preschool

While there isn't any formal preparation required for preschool there's no harm in a little head start. Get your child familiar with some of the fundamentals of preschool life beforehand. You can do this by:

Learning to co-operate

Your toddler will be expected to wait his or her turn and co-operate with other children at preschool, so whenever you are able, work on this at home. Try sharing the same toy and putting building blocks onto a construction; or why not try working together when, for example, hanging out the washing - you take out the clothes and your toddler hands you the pegs.

Recognising names

Your toddler won't be expected to be able to read his or her name when he or she starts at preschool, but knowing what the name's appearance, and what letter it starts with can be helpful when so many things at preschool will be labelled with it. Write your toddler's name on art work, on the fridge in magnetic letters, with a stick in the sandpit, wherever it's possible to do so. Don't pressurise him or her to learn to recognise it at this stage though.

Filling a lunch box

If your toddler will be taking lunch to preschool, then pick out a bright and colorful new lunch box together - maybe one with his or her favorite storybook or cartoon characters on it. A few days before the first day at preschool begin packing his or her lunch into the box and encourage your toddler eat from it at the kitchen table. Start sharing chores

If you haven't been asking your toddler to help with simple chores, then now's the time to begin. Begin with|Concentrate on} tasks that he or she might be expected to help with at preschool, such as clearing the table, or hanging up coats.

Giving instructions

Make following instructions fun - try calling out several in a row, eg pick up that hairbrush, brush teddy's hair two times, give teddy a kiss and put him on the chair please. Again, don't worry if your toddler doesn't follow the instructions consistently - he or she will probably take the staff at preschool much more seriously than Mom!

Offer different options

Children do have to make some decisions in the classroom. Provide practice by giving your toddler different options whenever you can. For example, "Do you want to wear the red or the blue socks?" "Do you want apple or banana?""Do you want cereal or toast for breakfast?"

Develop a structure

If your lifestyle tends to be of the spontaneous, unstructured kind, then begin to incorporate some routine into your child's day in the weeks before he or she starts preschool to get them used to the idea of a structured day.

Socialising

Arrange plenty of play dates in the weeks before preschool begins to increase your child's confidence with other children. But don't overdo it - your child may grow tired of socialising before school even starts!

Remember - starting preschool should be a positive experience. If your preschool runs an adjustment period in which parents and caregivers can take part, then seize this opportunity, it will assist your child to settle into this strange new environment. When it's time to leave, don't sneak off without saying good-bye, even if this means tears. Be sure to tell your toddler when you'll return - and keep that promise. Leave with a happy look on your face that tells your toddler you're confident that she or he is going to have a wonderful day!!

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