There are plenty of benefits of preschool—it can be a great place for kids to interact with peers and to learn valuable life lessons such as how to share, take turns and follow rules. But going to preschool does come with its fair share of emotions, for both the parent and the child.
Spend time talking with your child about preschool even before it starts. Before the first day, gradually introduce your child to activities that often take place in a classroom. A child accustomed to scribbling with paper and crayons at home, for example, will find it comforting to discover the same crayons and paper in his or her preschool classroom.
Visiting your child’s first preschool classroom before school starts can also ease the entrance into unfamiliar territory. This offers the opportunity to meet your child’s teacher and ask about routines and activities. Ask your child’s new teacher how he or she handles the first tear-filled days. How will the first week be structured to make the transition smooth for your child?
When you enter the classroom on the first day, calmly reintroduce the teacher to your child, then step back and let him or her set the tone. This will allow the teacher to begin forming a relationship with your child. If your child clings to you or refuses to participate in the class, don’t get upset—this may only upset your child more. Follow the guidelines described by the teacher beforehand, and go at your child’s pace.
Suggestions for leaving your child at preschool are simple but can be hard on a parent. Always say a loving good-bye to your child, and leave promptly. Never sneak out. Leaving without saying good-bye may make your child feel abandoned, whereas a long farewell scene might only serve to reinforce a child’s sense that preschool is a bad place.
Regardless of whether your child is eager or reluctant to go to preschool, make sure that a school staff member is ready to help with the transfer from your care to the classroom when you arrive in the morning. Many preschools begin with a daily ritual, such as circle time. Preschoolers tend to respond to this kind of predictability and following a routine will help ease the move from home to school.
Source: from www.KidsHealth.org
Pre-K Counts
This Pennsylvania pre-kindergarten program, established by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, will make quality pre-kindergarten opportunities available to children and families across the Commonwealth. Funding will be provided for more than 11,000 of our 3- and 4-year olds to attend quality half- and full-day pre-kindergarten in schools, Head Start, child care centers and nursery schools in the 2007-2008 school year. For more information on Pre- K Counts, visit www.pde.state.pa.us.
Preschool Rating System
Thanks to Keystone STARS, a new state rating system, parents now have a simple way to judge a preschool program’s quality. To learn more, visit www.pakeys.org. And for comprehensive information on available preschool programs in your area, call a Child Care Information Services office—in Cumberland County, 1-800-358-8725; Dauphin, 1-800-952-7419; Lancaster, 1-800-937-4546; York, 1-800-864-4925.