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Making the Most of Preschool

Sending your little one off to preschool is an exciting and emotional event marking his entry into a new age of independence and discovery. You want to give your child the space to grow and explore as an individual, but you also need to ensure the environment is safe, nurturing, developmentally appropriate, and fun.

Well, don't worry! It's not as daunting a task as it might sound, especially when you consider these tips for making the most of your little one's preschool experience.

Is your child ready? There's a lot of information circulating about how to determine if your child is ready for preschool: Is the child independent? Has he previously spent time away from Mom and Dad? Can he complete projects on his own? It almost makes it sound as if you're sending your little one off to fend for himself in the wilderness!

But according to Osborne Abbey, Ed.D., Vice President for Education for Nobel Learning Communities, Inc., a national network of quality private schools and preschools, "Unless there are developmental signs that the pediatrician has indicated may be a hindrance to some level of formal schooling or formal group participation, there really are no signs (that a child isn't ready for preschool)." Children mature on their own schedule, Abbey adds, and a good preschool will understand and accommodate that schedule. The only potential issue could be potty training, which is required by many programs.

Choosing the right preschool: With all the options available, choosing the best preschool for your child can seem overwhelming. Here a few key elements to consider:

Are you comfortable there? Experts agree that parents should listen to their gut instincts. If you're not comfortable with the environment, your child won't be either.
Do staff interact with students in a positive manner? Are teachers engaged in activities with the children rather than watching from the sidelines? Are children interacting with each other in positive ways?
What is the educational philosophy? Ask about the expectations for each developmental level, says Abbey. Make sure the curriculum includes a variety of age appropriate activities that address the cognitive, social, emotional and physical needs of the children.
What is the background of the staff? Teachers should have experience and education related to early childhood education. A low teacher turnover, meaning most teachers have been at the school for several years, can be a good indicator of a quality program, and a program that offers ongoing training for teachers is also a plus.
How do staff communicate with parents? "I should look for a school that openly shares with me their goals, objectives and developmental strategies for my child so I am a partner in the process," says Abbey. How will teachers inform you of your child's daily activities, emotional state, and any concerns that may arise during the school day? Parents should be welcome to visit the classroom as an aide or observer frequently.
What is the teacher-to-child ratio? Most states mandate a certain ratio for each age range. According to the National Association for the Education of Young Children, for example, there should be at least one adult for every ten 4-year-olds.
Is the program licensed by the state?
Does the program strive to keep children safe? Ask to see the emergency plan and make sure you're comfortable with it. What is their procedure if a child is injured? Do they have a policy to minimize the risk of illness?

Making a smooth transition: The first day, week and month of preschool are a time of transition for you and your child. Here are some tips for making that transition as smooth and stress-free as possible:

Make a transition plan: Find out how the school handles new students. Some allow parents and children to visit the program before their first day. Some ask parents to stay with the child the first day, or for a short time each morning during the first week. Make sure you're comfortable with the school's transition plan and do your best to give your child the opportunity to become familiar with the environment before you leave him alone there.
Talk it up: For several weeks before your child starts school, talk with him about it in a casual, upbeat way. Show him the school as you drive or walk by, pointing out the play equipment or other things that might be exciting to him. Read books about preschool with your child to give him a sense of what to expect and validate his feelings. Encourage your child to talk about his feelings and what he thinks preschool will be like.
Make a friend: If possible, plan a play date with another child who will be in the same class. Seeing a familiar face on the first day can make your child feel more comfortable.
Go shopping: If your child needs new shoes, clothes, a backpack, lunchbox or other school supplies, make shopping for them an event. Let your child choose his own backpack or lunchbox to give him a sense of control and independence.
Get some rest: Adjust sleep and nap schedules if necessary to make sure your child will be well rested.
Say goodbye: Parents are often tempted to "sneak out" when their child is engaged in an activity to avoid tears, but if you always say good-bye and remind your child when you'll pick him up ("after lunch" or "after nap," for example), he'll feel more confident and less anxious about your leaving. Don't prolong your good-byes, though, even if your child cries. It only drags out the process creating more anxiety for you both.

Reinforcing lessons at home: The lessons your child learns through a quality preschool experience span the spectrum from basic "academics" such as letter and number recognition to the social and problem solving skills he'll need to succeed in school and in life. As a parent, you've helped him develop and strengthen those skills long before the first day of school. When your child begins preschool, it's important to communicate with teachers on a daily basis so you can continue to help him by reinforcing the skills he's working on in class. For example, if your child is beginning to show an interest in learning his letters, encourage him with games, books, toys and DVDs at home. If it's his turn to help set the table for snack, give him the opportunity to set the table at home as well.

Ask your child's teacher how conflicts are resolved in class. Quality programs offer children options for conflict resolution and problem solving that you can reinforce at home if you're familiar with them. If your child has a conflict with another student in his class, talk with him about how he handled the situation and what he might do differently in the future. If your child has a conflict with a sibling or friend at home, help him use the conflict resolution model from his preschool to find an appropriate solution.

Continue reading with your child daily and engaging her in meaningful conversation whenever possible. Avoid baby talk or oversimplified language. Ask your child "what if" questions and encourage her to predict what might happen next in a story or DVD. And most importantly, make learning fun. Sharing a favorite book, playing language and word games, and singing silly songs together are great ways to reinforce the lessons your preschooler is learning in school, especially that learning can be fun!

Enjoy this special time in your little one's life ... he won't be a "little one" much longer (but he'll always be your baby!).

At Baby Classroom and our sister site Budget Art Kids, we've got loads of books, toys, flash cards, DVDs and art supplies to help you reinforce the important lessons your child learns in preschool, from letter and number recognition to artistic creativity to learning how to behave appropriately. Here are some of our favorites:

ABCs:

Numbers:

Language Development:

Colors, Shapes and Opposites:

Artistic Expression:

Block Play and Mixed Skills:

Emotional Development and Behavior: