Getting ready for preschool can be a big adjustment for both the child and the parents. There are some things you can do to help ease your child’s transition into preschool through various activities. The programs from the U.S. Department of Education’s Learning Partners program will help your child to listen, follow directions and get along with other kids. These are three important factors in any preschool program.
Social Activities
It’s important to be able to get along with other kids since a lot of time will be spent in groups. The group activities include, sharing, taking turns and playing well in groups. By arranging play dates with other kids in the same age group, will help your child get used to being part of a group. Enroll him or her and two or three other kids in a tumbling class or a play date at the park.
Let Your Child Know What to Expect
Many kids are excited, yet anxious to start preschool. If your child is nervous, let them know that it’s going to be a lot of fun or “there’s nothing to afraid of.” If you reassure them, the nerves will go away.
Saying Goodbye
The hard part will be the first time you say goodbye as you’re drooping your kid of to his or her first day of preschool. Some kids get scared that you won’t come back or you’ll get lost and won’t be able to find them. Let them know that you’ll be back in a little bit. Separation isn’t always easy and the calmer things are at home, the easier the transition will be.
Spend Time Reading To Your Child
Most preschools will have a reading period at least once a day. Take 20 minutes each day to read to your time to make this ritual familiar once school begins. Children with little experiences with books have a harder time reading later on.
Preschoolers won’t be reading by themselves, so it’s important that they learn how to listen. When you read aloud to them, they’ll be able to develop their listening skills.
Practice Listening Skills
In preschool kids learn to “sit still and listen.” It’ll be beneficial to him to start preparing by asking him on occasion to sit quietly and close his eyes. When he does this, ask him to say what sounds he hears. Tell him where those sounds are coming from.
This is the time where kids begin to learn how to follow directions that will involve more than one step. Let your child do a series of small things like: have him bring his shoes to his room and put them in the closet. Or go to the washroom to wash his hands. Then to come down stairs to help you set the table for dinner. Just small easy tasks that take more than one step.
Create a Work of Art
When children create art, they’re developing visual and fine motor skills that are necessary in learning how to write. Keep paper, paints, markers and crayons on hand and encourage him to create whatever he wants. Doing fun and simple games like connect-the-dot and mazes will help him start developing his writing skills.
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