Preparing for Preschool: What You Need to Know
Posted on January 12, 2016 by Ladybug Child Care CenterWhen your child is about to start school, the nerves begin to set in. And all too often, these nerves are your own and not necessarily your child’s.
It can be intimidating to prepare your child for preschool. After all, there’s so much to learn and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed as you try to teach your child all the skills you think they should know before getting started.
Luckily, we have a list of 6 simple tips to get your child prepared from educators Diane Tunis, Rhonda Kleiner, and associate director of the Early Childhood Centers at Wilshire Boulevard Temple Fredda Band Loewenstein that will guide the way.
1. Visit a library for read-aloud time
Most children are only used to hearing their parents or another family member read aloud. At Ladybug, we read aloud daily so getting your child used to hearing others read is an important part of preparation.
2. Establish a sleep routine well before school begins
With preschool comes a new “early to bed and early to rise” sleep schedule. Make the adjustment several weeks in advance so your child can adjust to new wake, nap, and sleep times (which the team at Ladybug will reinforce through regular, documented napping!).
3. Arrange playdates with new friends
Often, you can ask your child care center for a list of the kids that will be in your child’s class. By setting up playdates with new friends, your child will be able to better interact with new friends come the first day of class.
4. Choose school supplies together
While you might be nervous for your child to begin school, they might be nervous about this new experience as well. By choosing school supplies together, like a new backpack, you can make the experience more exciting.
5. Leave your child with friends or relatives
Children often struggle with leaving their parents for long periods of time more than anything else when beginning preschool. By leaving your child with friends or relatives, you can help them make the adjustment and make leaving them at school less difficult (while making them more productive while in class).
6. Visit the school before classes begin
Children often feel intimidated in new environments. As such, it’s important to visit the school or center before classes begin so your child knows what to expect when school begins.
The best part is that most child care centers run tours or have designated “visiting” days prior to classes beginning (spoiler alert: we do this at Ladybug, too!).
Read the entire article, “13 Tips for Starting Preschool” here.
Preschool can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be at Ladybug Child Care Center
Preschool can be an intimidating experience for children and parents alike. But when you choose a child care center with over 30 years of experience, you can take comfort knowing that your “little bug” is well-cared whether they’re nervous or can’t wait to get started!
Contact a member of our team today at either or Chaska or Waconia facilities to set up a tour and get introduced to the Ladybug difference. We look forward to meeting both you and your family!
Filed Under: Preschool, Tips for Parents