Take this quick survey to assess whether or not your child is ready for Pre-School.
As a parent, you know you will send your child to school, but how do you know when is the right time? You may be asking yourself: Is my child ready for school? How do I know if his/she is ready? Does my child crying mean that he/she is not ready? Does he/she need to be potty trained?
Here is a quick and easy way to find out if your child is ready for preschool:
1. Is your child potty-trained?
Most preschools require that your child is potty-trained. If your child is not potty-trained yet, set up a training schedule and talk it over with the school of your choice to see if you can work together.
2. Is your child learning independent skills?
Skills such as brushing teeth, washing hands, and eating with minimal help show that your child can focus and handle working on his/her own. If your child comfortably naps in a new place without you, that is also a sign of independence and readiness for preschool.
3. Is your child able to do projects on his or her own?
If your child sits still, reads books, builds blocks, listens and works on drawings by himself/herself, your child will be able to handle the preschool classroom.
4. Is your child used to keeping a regular schedule?
Children flourish when they have routine schedules because it provides them a feeling of security. If their home routine with snacks, naps, and meal times correlate with the school’s routine, they will have an easy transition to preschool.
5. Is your child ready to participate in group activities?
If your child gets along with others, is learning to compromise, shares and knows how to take turns, your child is ready for preschool.
6. Does your child have the energy to keep up with the preschool program?
If your child has the physical stamina to handle many movements from one activity to another, your child is ready for preschool.
7. Are you ready to send your child to school?
This is probably the most important question as your child learns from you. If you are anxious and worried, your child will sense that and be stressed as well. After all, why would you child want to go somewhere that you are worried about? If you are ready and relaxed about school, you child will be as well.
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What if I answered “no” to most of questions above?
It is important to realize that children without the above skills will still learn. The beauty of the Montessori philosophy is that children naturally learn from the world around them.
If your child is not ready for preschool, he/she may be ready for an infant/toddler program depending up on their age. At Arborland Montessori Children’s Academy, we help our toddlers get ready for preschool. Teachers and parents work together as a team to potty-train, build routines, develop independent skills, teach sharing, so by the time they are school-aged, they will be ready for preschool.
If your child is already preschool-aged, start working on the same skills. Consistency is key and do not expect your child to develop these skills immediately. As with any learning, they will need time and patience. With your help, your child will start school as a capable and confident student.