Signs of Preschool Readiness

After many years of close contact, most parents are excited when their children are ready to attend preschool. Not only will it give parents some time to themselves, but it also is an exciting time to watch children grow and explore the world outside of the home.

Determining when is the right time to send a child to preschool can be difficult. Parents want their children to have a positive experience as they embark on their education. Here is some clear information regarding signs that can help determine that children are ready for preschool.

Potty Trained

One of the most important signs children can show you prior to attending preschool is that they are aware of their own body and have the ability to control it. This means they are capable of controlling some of their emotions, but also they can control their body – specifically, they can use the potty.

Once children have mastered the important feat of using the potty, they become very aware of their own body and how to use it. It is great time of development as they begin to understand they have some control over what they do, how they do it, and when they do it. Talk to any parent who has just potty trained a child and she will share that “everything” seems to be easier. This is because children become much aware of everything around them when potty training is completed.

In addition, the majority of preschools prefer that children are potty trained before they attend, so not only is this potty training a sign of “readiness”, but it also a requirement in most instances.

If children are not potty trained as of yet, keep working on it with them. Be patient because after much guidance, all children wake up one day and feel completely ready to use the potty. Once they have mastered this skill, development will continue and the children will soon be ready to attend preschool.

Enjoy Playing With Friends

Before attending preschool children should have had numerous occasions to socialize with other children either in neighborhood settings or other children’s groups or activities. If they appear to be excited on these occasions and seem to enjoy playing with other children, then they are ready to attend preschool.

If children do not enjoy playing with friends and spend the entire time “playing” by arguing, not sharing, biting, hitting, etc., continue to arrange some play dates to encourage sharing and positive interaction with other children their age. This can help develop appropriate skills to prepare for them for preschool.

Interest in Music, ABC's and 123's

In preschool, children need to participate in circle time, listen to stories, and discuss the ABC’s and 123’s. Preschool requires children to sit for a period of time and do projects. This requires some concentration and the ability to focus on projects. If children seem excited by participating in any of the above, they are most likely ready for preschool.

If children are not yet interested in music, the ABC’s or 123’s, keep offering opportunities to share different types of music and learning opportunities to stimulate their interest in each area. Also, provide activities at home where they can begin to do some solo play which will help them gain some skills in the area concentration and focus.

Comfortable Leaving Mom and Dad

Before children enter preschool, they must have recently shown signs of being independent. For example, do they have the ability to say good-bye to parents and feel comfortable knowing they will return? Of course in every instance when parents leave, this will not occur due to illness or specific familial concerns at that time. But as a whole, this should be something a child should feel comfortable with.

For instance, when parents go out to dinner are they comfortable saying good-bye or do they cry and wine and parents need to return home? Once children are for the most part, comfortable staying with a sitter or playing at a friend’s house, they are ready to go to school and have fun while they are there.

If children are not comfortable leaving their parents and are not showing signs of independence, expose them to numerous opportunities to help prepare them for preschool. Have Grandma or Grandpa come over and watch children or hire a babysitter every other week in order for children to have occasions to be separate from Mom and Dad.

If children are showing all of the above signs, they are most likely ready to attend preschool and do well in this setting. Go ahead and visit preschools in the area to determine the best school for your children. Prior to attending preschool, purchase books about attending preschool so that children know what to expect while they are there.

Also, if at all possible, take children to the preschool prior to the first day. Show them around and introduce them to their teacher. This should help them feel comfortable about what they are doing and help them succeed in a preschool setting.

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