Is your tot ready for preK?
Back to school season for any parent is a hectic time. But for parents of toddlers it’s time to make a huge decision to: Is she ready to start preschool? Most kids start preschool anywhere between the ages of 2.5 and four-years old, but how do you know what’s right for your kid?
Preschool readiness really depends more on developmental factors than chronological age. Is your little one physically, emotionally, and socially ready for the classroom? Consider your three-year-old’s development in these key areas before taking this big leap.
Experts on all things preschool, brightwheel <www.mybrightwheel.com> , a PreK mobile tech platform, is offering a checklist for any parent questioning the big day for their tot:
Social Development
How much experience has she had playing with other kids? Does she like it, does she do it well? If your three-year-old is still just into parallel play <www.babycenter.com/0_toddler-milestone-socialization_11742.bc> , she may not be ready to join a classroom just yet. Typically three-year-olds are starting to play with each other and are engaging in imaginative play, both key components of preschool programs. And your three-year-old needs to be socially aware of how to treat other children before she should start preschool.
Physical Development
Potty training <www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/in-depth/potty-training/art-20045230> may just be the top indicator that your three-year-old is ready for preschool. It’s a big milestone, and one that really sets her on a course of independence. But there are other physical signs that she’s ready too. Does she have the fine motor skills for handling classroom materials, or the gross motor skills to handle the playground equipment? Sure, preschool is where they fine tune these skills, but your three-year-old should have the motor control <www.babycenter.com> to keep up with her classmates in order to be successful at preschool.
Emotional Development
This is a biggie. She may know all her letters, shapes, and colors, but unless she’s emotionally ready <www.webmd.com/parenting/guide/preschooler-emotional-development> for the day-to-day challenges at preschool, it may not be time yet. How does she handle being away from you? If she still has any separation anxiety, she’s not ready. This will be a stressful time for her and a big emotional adjustment, so you want to be sure she’s well-equipped to handle the experience. (You should also ask yourself if you are emotionally ready for preschool! It’ll be a big adjustment all around.)
The bottom line is that you want this to be a positive experience for everyone. If your three-year-old isn’t quite ready, there’s no harm in waiting until she’s four to start her in preschool. If you think she’s just on the cusp of being ready, consider enrolling her in a part-time program. Just make sure it’s at least three days a week so that she really develops a sense of the routine and schedule that school adds to her life.
