Preschool Preparation: Is My Child Ready for Preschool?

Question: 

At what age shall my child start preschool education? Is my child ready for preschool?

Answer:

Most preschools offer programme for children aged 2 and above. However, not all children who have reached that age are ready for a daily, structured, educational programme.

To decide whether your child is ready for preschool, the best way is to gather feedback from people who know him well. They can be family members, your child’s doctor or your child’s caregiver. Then, make an evaluation based on these feedbacks and those of yourself and your partner.

According to Patricia Henderson Shimm, associate director of the Barnard College Center for Toddler Development in New York and co-author of Parenting Your Toddler, these questions can help you to determine your child’s readiness for preschool:

1. Is your child fairly independent?

If your child possesses certain basic skills, such as potty-trained, washing his hands and eating meal without assistance and sleeping alone, then he may be ready for preschool.

2. Has he spent time away from you?

If your child has spent some time away from you and your partner, such as being looked after by a babysitter, then your child may be able to fit into the new environment more easily, without feeling the need to stay close to you when your child is left at preschool.

3. Can he work on projects on his own?

If your child enjoys drawing or art activities at home, then your kid will be able to focus on his/her class activity.

4. Is he ready to participate in group activities?

If your child is exposed to group activities before entering preschool, then your child will be more ready to play with other children in class.

5. Is he used to keeping a regular schedule?

If your child goes through day-to-day life within a regular schedule at home, then your child will feel more comfortable with the new preschool environment that follows a daily routine.

6. Does he have the physical stamina for preschool?

If your child enjoys moving from one activity to the next without feeling uncomfortable, then your child may have the stamina to go through the activities at preschool.

7. Why do you want to send him to preschool?

If your child enjoys learning new things, explore and/or play with other children but there isn’t enough stimulation available at home or daycare, then your child is ready to start preschool.