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Starting Pre-School

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Starting Pre-School

10 Tips for your child

Starting preschool is a big step for your child. Practical Parenting shows how to make it a fabulous experience for both of you.

For many toddlers, preschool will just be the next step in their daycare experience. But for some kids it’s the first time they’ve been thrust into a structured, group environment. This can be a huge change to their little lives, but there are ways you can help your child be socially and emotionally ready. Here’s how…

1. Get used to new kids

Toddlers often feel secure playing with the same select group, but at preschool your child will be mixing with lots of different kids. To help your child adjust to encountering and getting along with new people, take your child to a new park or to a different play centre – somewhere where you’ll be able to meet and mingle with people you don’t know. Try to let them find their way and deal with new kids by themselves.

2.Practise saying goodbye

Goodbyes can be hard on you & on your toddler. It’s worth practising saying goodbye as preparation for those first few big days at preschool, so no more sneaking out when you leave them at Grandma’s or with Dad! Start with clear, smiley, positive goodbyes & don’t give in to tears. Also, practise saying goodbye in new situations, such as leaving your child with a trusted friend.

3.Get little fingers moving

Your toddler will face lots of fine-motor-skill challenges at preschool in activities like drawing, cutting, pasting and threading. Good preparation is to turn off the TV and instead set up craft, art, construction and similar activities.

4. Encourage independence

Toddlers like to be independent and cope far better emotionally if they can do things themselves, like open drink bottles, do up coats, manage basic toileting and wipe their nose. Your toddler doesn’t need to be self-sufficient, but they can begin to try things themself. It’s a good idea to begin dressing your child and then let them try to finish the job, or to introduce little exercises, like putting their plate and cup in the dishwasher. Similarly, guide them in toileting and good hygiene, so they can succeed on their own.

5. Practise sharing

When in a big group, your toddler needs to be able to share, take turns and wait. In the lead-up to preschool, spend more time on fun games and activities that require structure and sharing and give them loads of praise and cuddles for waiting patiently when you are busy. Try not to give in to tantrums.

6.Build resilience

It’s natural to be protective of your little one, but they will need to be resilient to cope with life’s little set backs and deal with new situations, such as aggressive kids. Now is the time to resist fixing everything and always engineering success. Let your child venture into play on their own and don’t step in as soon as challenges arise, but encourage them to bounce back and have another go. Building blocks do fall sometimes, but can always be rebuilt.

7. Don’t be pushy

You don’t need to teach your toddler every colour, shape and letter before they start preschool! Most toddlers just aren’t ready for such formal learning. The best preparation is to immerse them in natural, diverse learning, such as reading to your child, showing them pictures, communicating lots and helping your child experience all of their environments.

8. Practise listening

Now is a good time to practise tuning in, listening carefully and completing a job, like putting folded clothes away. Give lots of praise and cuddles for good listening. As well as listening, toddlers need to learn how to speak up, such as being able to calmly tell an adult if they are upset or telling an aggressive child, “Stop, don’t push, I don’t like that!”

9. Have fun visits

Visit the preschool a few times before they start. Many will hold open days or transition days, or you can even just wander past when the kids are out playing. Don’t big it up too much, just be relaxed and confident, mentioning that some of the fun activities your child loves at home are the same ones they will do at preschool.

10. Prepare yourself

Keep positive, as toddlers will pick up on your tears and anxiety, and be well informed about how the preschool works, as well as pick-up time. Label everything and pack an extra set of clothes, just in case. Also, inform the staff of any special needs. Most well-prepared, resilient toddlers love preschool and adjust more readily than expected. If not, have a chat with the teachers, they will be happy to advise on any concerns you may have.

Ian Wallace – Child Psychologist

January 10, 2011

Local Primary Schools

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Whittlesea Primary School

Laurimar Primary School

St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School

Gilson College Mernda

St. Mary’s Primary School

Marymede Catholic College

Hazel Glen College

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