Starting Preschool: 5 Tips to Help Your Child with the Transition

Young kids benefit tremendously from attending a quality preschool program. When little ones spend their days in preschool, they have the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of academics, develop their social and emotional skills, learn about the importance of routine and structure, and several other aspects of life at school. But how does your child feel about starting preschool? Does the thought of going to school make them feel giddy and excited? Or does the separation make them feel anxious?

While it is perfectly natural for both parents and children to feel a mix of emotions at the thought of beginning preschool, there’s no reason to be worried. Preschool’s sole purpose is to nurture your growing child. If your child is starting preschool this year, there’s no need to fret. Here’s a list of some things you can do to help make the transition smoother for your little one.

Visit the preschool

Incoming families are usually given the opportunity by most preschools to attend an orientation or visit. This is a great chance for you and your child to learn more about the preschool he or she will attend.  Carve out some time to visit your child’s preschool before his or her first day  so you can both get an idea of what a typical day looks like and the activities your child will experience at this new setting. An orientation visit will also give you the chance to observe the kind of learning environment the school offers,  the classroom setting, the outdoor facilities and of course, meet the teachers and other school staff. If you can, take some photos for your little one to see.

Teach essential life skills at home

At home, we may do almost everything for our children. Even if we want our children to learn how to be self-sufficient, we know deep down that we’ll still be there for them in every way we can. The good news is that preschool is actually the perfect place for your child to practice independence and self-sufficiency. Because you won’t be there in the classroom, preschoolers need to learn to do certain things for themselves. Help your little one get ready for the first day by teaching him or her some basic and essential life skills at home.

Simple things such as unzipping their coats or taking off their shoes are the kinds of things that most young kids should be able to manage to do on their own by preschool age. Be sure to practice these skills with them before preschool starts.

Establish routines

Predictability helps young kids feel safer and more secure. This is why they thrive on well-established routines.In a quality preschool, your little one’s day will emphasize learning how to follow a routine in a structured environment. To help your little one with this transition, you can establish routines at home. Start by creating and sticking to morning and bedtime routines. Set a specific time for waking up in the morning, having breakfast, and getting dressed. At night, try to adhere to a consistent bedtime routine too, which should include things like brushing their teeth, changing into pajamas, and reading a bedtime story.

Arrange playdates

Because one of the goals of preschool is helping your child’s developing social skills as they interact with peers, it is helpful to arrange playdates for your little one before starting preschool. Give your child the chance to learn how to play with other kids, share their toys, express themselves, and make friends. Learning that these are some of the things they’ll also get to do at preschool will make them look forward to it.

Allow your child to play at the preschool

Besides attending orientation visits, it can also be helpful for your little one to play at the preschool, if your preschool offers that option. It can also help with the transition to a new setting.  If you have the opportunity, bring your child along on a tour of the school so he or she can see the new setting where all of the new, fun, and exciting things will be happening soon. Let your child try out the playground as another way of getting a better feel for the new environment. The more familiar your child feels with this new place, the easier it will be for him or her to become comfortable and more confident at their new school.

Starting preschool can be a very exciting time for families with young kids. Get your little one geared up for this new adventure and wonderful journey with the help of these tips!If you’re looking for the best preschool for your little one, please visit The Pillars Christian Learning Center.

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6 Ways to Encourage Good Reading Habits in Children

Between the pages of a book, we can travel from one place to another, explore a different world, live a different life, or be a different person or character, even if it’s for just a quick moment. Reading is a wonderful way to escape reality. And for young kids, reading is more than just a source of entertainment; it can benefit them in several different ways.

Reading is essential for a child’s learning and development. Establishing positive reading habits can help children succeed in school and beyond. Reading can help kids improve their concentration and memory, nurture creativity and imagination, and it serves as an excellent exercise for the brain. These, and more, are some of the reasons why parents should encourage their kids to read. Here are some tips on how you can encourage your children to make reading part of their day.

Make reading a personal habit

Good reading habits start with parents. Even before your little one is born, children benefit from being read to. .Read out loud both before your child is born and after you bring him or her home. The sound of a mother’s voice creates a soothing rhythm to a child’s ears. 

Set a good example

It doesn’t matter whether you’re into magazines, newspapers, or books it would further encourage reading if your little one observes that you’re into reading, too. Set a good example and your child will follow suit. Be a role model and your child will see how important and enjoyable reading can be.

For instance, instead of spending hours bingeing your favorite TV show or watching movies, why not spend more time binging on your favorite reads? An even better idea is to invite your little one to join you with his or her own book so you can read together. 

Create a reading nook

If possible, carve out a spot in your home that can be used as a cozy reading area where your child can enjoy some quiet time and become engrossed in reading something that piques his or her interest. A reading “nook” doesn’t have to take up a lot of space or even have a lot of bookshelves. It can be a little quiet space that you fill with a few books and other fun and interesting reading materials. For example, you can place a couch or a cozy chair in a corner of your home with adequate lighting so your child can focus and enjoy reading with comfort. 

Take trips to the bookstore or library

People who love reading find the library or bookstores to be heaven. Foster in your child the same penchant for reading by taking them to the nearest library or bookshop. These places are a vast resource for many kinds of reading materials that are appropriate for various age groups.

In addition, be sure to allow your child to make their own choices when it comes to choosing something to read, whether it’s a book, comic, novel or a magazine. Children are more likely to start and finish reading something they picked out by themselves than the ones others pick out for them. Be sure to bring your kids  to the right section where they can find reading materials geared toward their age group and reading level.

Fill your house with interesting reading materials

Young kids who are surrounded by a vast array of reading materials are more likely to grow up to be lifelong readers. Encourage good reading habits in your child by surrounding your home with a wide array of interesting reads that they can easily comprehend. Make it a point to have a book or magazine within reach in your living room, in their bedroom, or even in your car. 

Make reading part of your kids’ bedtime routine

Like they say, “Start them young.” Help your little one fall in love with reading during the early years by incorporating reading into his or her bedtime routine. Have your child pick out a book, even if it’s the same one over and over again. This helps them learn to associate the habit of reading with unwinding and relaxation. 

Reading can benefit young kids in several different ways. Encourage good reading habits in your kids early on by following these tips.

For more parenting resources, or if you’re looking for the best childcare center for your little one, please visit The Pillars Christian Learning Center.

 

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