Skills Your Preschooler Needs Before School Starts

Knowing how to get along well with other kids is one of the biggest skills kids should have some grasp of before starting preschool. Sharing, taking turns, and playing well with other kids will be invaluable if you want them to have a happy experience in their first classroom. Knowing these things will also make the days smoother for the teacher.

When she has to spend less time working through fighting she will have more time to teach and help your preschooler explore and play. Help your preschooler learn how to get along happily with other kids and you can feel more confident about sending her off to school.

Teaching your preschooler some basic self care will also be a huge benefit in the classroom. Knowing how to wash their hands, put on their jackets, and use the toilets on their own saves time and resources in the classroom. Being more self sufficient means that the classroom teachers can devote more time to teaching and less to the constant mundane needs.

When dealing with a room full of 15 - 20 young children one teacher can waste a large part of class time removing every child's jackets and helping them clean up. Be prepared for preschool by helping your child have more independence before school starts and teaching him how to do a few basic tasks on his own.

The third important skill that you should help your young child with before preschool starts may be the most difficult for many children. Learning to sit still quietly for a few moments is not easy for young children who are built to be moving and talking. However being able to stay still for short periods of time is an important skill for the classroom.

Preschool teachers understand that young children cannot be expected to stay still for long and try to arrange their classrooms to provide plenty of time and space for activities. But there will be times when your child will need to sit at her desk and listen to the teacher. For those moments understanding how to sit still and quiet are invaluable skills to have.

Working on these three skills will help make preschool easier for your young child. Having these skills under their belt there will be more time and energy available for learning, playing, and exploring. And a foundation for their continuing school career will be built.

Image source - Anissa Thompson