How to prepare toddler for preschool

I can’t remember when the word “school” was introduced to Caitlin. But she got the concept pretty early: School is a place where children congregate for some joint activities. They also wear uniforms….

She has been attending preschool now for almost a month. Yes- she started a few months later than the others, but thus far I think she is coping well. It’s Daddee and Mummee who need to still fine-tune the sleep patterns of the household!

Below is my take on what may have contributed to Caitlin’s adjustment to school life; from Day 1 she was already keen on school with no problems.

“Peer pressure”
It may help that a (older) playfriend is already going to preschool, and upon hearing the friend talk about school may help in creating the buzz and anticipation in also doing the same things as the friend. From memory, I believe this was the first instance of her exposure to the concept.

The premises
While we were researching / deciding on which schools, we did bring Caitlin along to the various schools. This was when the schools were on holidays, so while she saw the playgrounds and drawings & colourings on the walls, she didn’t actually see kids and what they did.

However, after Caleb was born & before Mummee went back to work, she did bring Caitlin along for more visits; and this time school was already in. Caitlin later recounted what she saw…

Activities
She saw the other kids play, the songs to sing, the actions they did, the things to learn, the colourings to do, the uniforms they all wore. Mummee even told me that as a visitor, she was even allowed to participate a little in what the kids were doing. Caitlin got a taste, the school did it’s selling

Positive reinforcements all the way
Along with creating the buzz, I was also creating a sense of envy that Caitlin will be able to learn so many new things, and to be able to come home to teach Daddee what she (will) has learnt.

I believe we also did assure her of the actual expected routine: That school will start in the morning, Daddee or grandma will be the one dropping her off, the activities, and that grandma will pick her up from school afterwards.

I have found that with this kid (and others too?), as long as she is kept informed about what to expect, she is cool with what’s to come- she seems game to try new things, especially with her parents’ description, approval and encouragement. Comes with trusting the parents, I guess.

I hope to keep this momentum for her entire school life, obviously. Today they will be on an excursion to the Science Centre, and part of the excitement- I know, will be the school bus ride! Simple thrill- I know, for a privileged-enough child who only knows her car seat in the back of Daddee’s car!

This weekend, too, the school is having a teacher-parents meeting. I will look forward to hearing how she is doing….