So, you have your sights (and heart) on the ideal preschool for your child and all looks well… Chances are though, you might be a tad concerned if junior is ready to spend a few hours of the day in a classroom full of other kids and a teacher or two. If you’re wondering if your child is ready for preschool, and what are the steps you need to take to prep up for it, this article is for you.

Going potty

A child who is not properly potty-trained might run into problems when he or she attends preschool. Well, at least, the teachers might. Potty training your child will help put your mind at ease and not trouble preschool teachers too much. So, before junior begins preschool, it’ll be a good idea to see to this first.

At home, place the potty in the toilet and encourage your child to use it, as preschoolers will have to use toilets and the setting will be familiar to your child.

Putting stuff back in their places

In a preschool setting, there are bound to be situations when little ones are expected to put away things after using them. Don’t take it for granted that these are things that can be learned when they’re already attending the school, for your child may not take too easily to this new habit if he or she is not accustomed to it at all at home. So, start teaching your child to put stuff away until it become second-nature for them.

Building confidence

Not all kids are going to skip happily into a classroom and start making friends. A good many may be shy, insecure or may even feel intimidated by the number of other children present. If you know that you child is naturally shy, it might be a good idea to utilise your home and family or friends as training ground to develop those communication skills and boost confidence in speaking to others apart from you and your partner.

Although they will sooner or later develop those skills at the preschool itself, there’s no harm in getting a head start at home.

Social skills and good manners

Where does your child stand so far when it comes to saying ‘please’ and ‘thank you’? Does junior have a problem apologising for any misdeed? Social readiness plays a pivotal role in how well a child adapts in preschool. Similarly, attributes such as sharing, taking turns, playing with peers, and participating in pretend play will be needed if a preschool education is just around the corner. The most natural way for your little one to learn these skills is during peer play, so have your child participate in plenty of playdates prior to being enrolled in a preschool.

Tempers and tantrums

Being told that your child had a tantrum when asked to come inside after playing while every other student was alright with it can be embarrassing, especially if it happens often. Worst still, if a tantrum leads to a student or any other individual getting hurt.

As parents we know our kids the best, and if junior happens to be easily agitated or is prone to acting up, it’s best to address the situation earlier on. Keep reminding and affirming to them that such behaviours are unacceptable. One way to teach your child to convey their frustration is through expressing themselves, so that they will be able to effectively communicate their feelings or frustrations to their teachers instead of acting upon them.

Independence brings confidence

If a child falls, the instant reaction is to immediately help him or her back on their feet. However, allowing the child to fall, at times, is in itself a learning process which builds self confidence in a child, who will eventually learn to get up without help.

In similar ways, it is also important to have the child become independent in certain self-care skills such as hand washing, nose wiping, opening lunch containers, zipping a backpack, and covering his or her mouth when coughing or sneezing. It is also beneficial to teach your little one how to dress and undress.

Motor skills

Perhaps it never occurred to you that you’d have to teach your child to grasp a pencil correctly or throw a ball, but good motor skills will serve your child well in preschool too.

Developing fine and gross motor skills will come in handy in the classroom as well as at play, like when a child wants to maneuver through a play tunnel or climb a playground ladder.