Preschool Readiness

Christin - posted on 05/20/2009

Thanks you guys I am just worried, since my daughter has developed some severe attachment issues since I lost my job and she no longer goes to daycare. It has been over a year since she last went to daycare. We have been sending her to Sunday School at church hoping this would help. I am just in another room in the nursery with my son, but most weeks they end up bringing her down as she never calms down. This summer is going to be worse as they combine all kids three and under into the nursery on their "summer schedule" which i think is crazy since the older kids have nothing to do since there are no age appropriate toys in that room like there is in there normal room. Also then she will be in the same room as me.

Sarah - posted on 05/19/2009

I am also a pre school teacher in New Zealand. Visits before hand are a great idea, at different times of the day if possible. In my centre this is encouraged for not only children to get used to the setting but also for parents to get to know expectations and routene's. we dont encourage parents to stay too long with their children when they are getting used to being in daycare, although it is really important that you say goodbye, sneaking out when they look settled can do more harm than good. It's often harder on parents than children.

Abie - posted on 05/19/2009

I am a preschool teacher so I hope I can help a little. All the suggestions os far are very good ones, so I will just add a few. It is very important to be honest with your child and come up with a plan together about dropping off and picking up so she knows you are coming back. "Mom will drop you off, give you a hug, and go back home to do some cleaning, maybe make some cookies, and then I will come back to pick you up at (whenever class is over). I want you to tell me all about what you did when I come back." Talk about this in the car. Also, as hard as it is, stay a bit longer for the first couple of days, but then, you must leave promptly if she struggles with you leaving. I have NEVER had a child that cried more than 5 minutes after mom left. Play school at home, do a countdown to the first day with cheesy excitement. Good luck!

Shawn - posted on 05/19/2009

What I did with my daughter when she first started preschool (she is 7 now) is have her help you pick out the backpack, mat for napping, school supplies, etc. that she will need for the school year. To have her involvement/participation right from the start builds her self-confidence/independence in "being a big girl by going to school", etc. When that first day came, she ran to her backpack that she had been waiting all summer to use and we happily walked to her new school. She was all smiles while I had to hide my tears behind the camera! :-) Good luck!

Susan - posted on 05/19/2009

Ask the preschool to come and visit for half a day, so she can see what its all about. Take a digital camera with you and let her snap some pictures of the room, circle mat, calendar, toy area, teacher etc. Then you can go home and make a book with names of the areas and teacher and read it on a regular basis. Then when she goes her surroundings won't be scary or unfamiliar. Don't worry about the academic stuff, they will do that. She just needs to be comfortable in the surroundings. Maybe enroll, if she hasn't already, in some group activities with Parks and Recreation. Gives him a confidence boost in group settings. Enjoy, in the end its harder on us then them.

Cheryl - posted on 05/19/2009

Get a library book on "what every preschooler needs to know" You might have some skills you can help her with over the summer.