Make preparation a fun filled activity

 

Adjusting to preschool can be tough , even one who's been in daycare for a while. You can help ease your child's transition to preschool by making the preparation time fun. At this age, learning should not be a chore. You don't want your child to feel like every activity is a lesson or every outing an educational field trip.

 

Plan more social activities

All preschool children have to get along with other kids. If your child hasn't spent much time in a group with other children, then activities such as sharing, taking turns, and playing cooperatively can be very difficult. Sending the child to a daycare, at least 3 months will make him comfortable with the idea of sharing and giving.

 

Give him a sense of what to expect

Anxiety is very normal. Resist the temptation to say things like '' It'll be the most fun you've ever had,'' or'' There's nothing to be afraid of ''. Instead, help calm his fears with information. Talk to him about what to expect when he gets to school — where he'll be going, what he'll be doing, and who will be in class with him.

 

An Introductory visit to Preschool

Before school begins, visit the classroom together at least once, preferably when other children and his future teacher(s) are there. You can also read stories about starting school.

 

Never forget to see off and receive on time

If this is the first time your child will be away from you, he may worry that you're not coming back. During the first few days, allow extra time to get him ready and out the door in the morning, too. The more calm things are at home, the easier the separation will be.

 

Though you might be tempted to sneak out without so much as a wave when you drop him off, don't do it. He will only be more distressed when he realizes you're gone. Instead, make a point of saying good-bye.

 

Read to your child every day

Most preschool classes have at least one reading period each day. Setting aside at least 15 minutes a day for reading time will make this a familiar ritual when school begins. Children who don't have early experiences with books often have difficulty learning to read later.

 

Stories with rhythm are particularly engaging, so look for books that repeat phrases. When he starts remembering the phrases, ask him to ''read'' with you

 

Practice listening skills

Preschool teachers often encourage their busy young pupils to sit still and listen. You can help your child prepare for this request by occasionally asking him to sit quietly and close his eyes. Then ask him to tell you all the different sounds he hears. Talk about what's making the sounds and where the sounds are coming from.

 

In preschool, children also learn to listen and follow directions that involve more than one step. Start asking your child to do a series of things, such as take his shoes to his room and put them in the closet. Or go to the bathroom and wash his hands and then come and help you set the dinner table. You can also play games that require your child to listen to directions, solve problems, and take turns.

 

Nurture the artist in residence

Creating art — whether it's finger-painting or molding clay — helps preschoolers develop the visual and fine motor skills they need to write. Keep paper, paints, crayons, and other art supplies on hand and encourage your child to create whenever he wants. Doing simple mazes and connect-the-dot pictures will also help your child develop beginning writing skills.

 

Control your anxiety and listen to the feedback

Instead of being anxious, share your phone number with the teacher or key person, responsible for handling a child. All good preschools have acclimatizing classes where a child is allowed to become familiar with school environment. At the end of day, speak to the key person to find out how your child is behaving. Is there any difficulty in adjusting to new settings or not?

 

Empathize instead of Sympathizing

Never over react to the feedback given by child or his emotional outbreak. Instead of showing sympathy, discuss the matter with teacher and make her to speak to child, with regard to the concerns or classroom difficulties. Tell him or her, that going to school shows that child is now growing up and need to go out of home. School is best and safest place where he or she can learn, have fun and can make more friends too.