Pre-kindergarten is the stage between three
and four years, just before your child starts going to school. Preschool is
a big and important step that transitions into kindergarten and should be ready
to start hanging out with other children.
However, your child will go through many stages before they
are ready to meet others in pre-kindergarten. While there's no need to rush
your child, it is essential to help your baby develop some preschool skills.
Below are four signs your baby is ready for pre-kindergarten.
1. Your Child Is Ready to Be Alone
It is normal for preschoolers to cry on their first day.
Most kids will require at least a week to beat the anxiety of saying goodbye to
a parent or caregiver. This behavior is known as separation
anxiety.
Still, your child should be ready to say goodbye sooner
rather than later. Preschoolers who cry until they see a familiar face around
may need a few more weeks before they are ready to say goodbye.
Parents can always find ways to ease separation anxiety
before the first day of preschool. However, if soothing the kid doesn't work,
give them a few days until they are eager to join others in preschool.
2. Your Child Is Self-Reliant
Independence is one of the first signs your child is ready
to start school. While you shouldn't expect your pre-kindergarten baby to cope
without help from an adult, they should depict a degree of self-reliance. If
your child is still fond of morning and afternoon naps, they probably need a
few more weeks before joining preschool.
If your kid can choose an activity and play with others
without the need for constant adult redirection, they might be ready for
preschool.
Most programs require pre-kindergartens to take on different
fun projects for short durations. Also, the projects and activities require
stamina and physical independence. If your child can move around without any
challenges, they'll settle better in preschool.
Self-reliance is essential for all preschoolers, and it is a
skill they'll continue to develop as they get older. As such, parents shouldn't
put pressure on their children.
3. Your Child Is Expressive
Basic expression is vital if your child is to have an easy
time communicating and following instructions from their teachers. Kids won't
always find the right words to express how they feel.
However, they should be able to express themselves in ways
their teachers and other adults can understand. More importantly, your child
should find it easy to get their needs and feelings known without hurting
others.
Preschoolers should also learn to accept and follow
instructions from their teachers. Comprehension of basic directions, such as sit, quiet, and let's go
will make it easier to learn and interact
with caregivers and other children.
4. Your Child Can Concentrate
Concentration improves with age, so older kids often stay
focused longer than preschoolers. However, your child should have the ability
to concentrate for short periods, which is important because most
prekindergarten programs involve activities requiring about 10 minutes of
focus.
As a parent, you can help your child concentrate by reading
a short picture book aloud a few times a day. Nonetheless, no two preschoolers
have the same concentration ability, so there's no cause for worry if yours is
distracted more often than others.
Kids need time to adapt to their new environment, and it
certainly won't happen on their first day at preschool. If your preschool baby
seems eager to go to school, it is time to enroll them in a prekindergarten
program.
Get in touch with Riviera Daycare &
Preschool
today for more about preschool and kindergarten programs.
