So, you’re nearly done with the terrible twos and wondering what the third year might have in store. Rest assured, and you’re not alone. Many parents of children approaching the age of three feel that this might be the time to pass the baton of learning to a playschool.
Choosing a playschool is but secondary. One must first ask themselves, ‘Is my child even ready for playschool’?
The goal of this article is to simplify that decision. Read on to know if your child is ready to get their first taste of ‘big kid school’! Start your child’s early education with EuroKids.
Is There a Specific Preschool Age Group?
Not really. Just like children, every parent is unique. In some cases, both parents are working professionals. That makes it all the more pertinent for them to start their kids younger in preschool. Some parents enroll their kids at two or even two and a half years old. The recommended age, on average, though, veers to around 3.
Some Key Considerations When Deciding If Playschool is Right for Your Child
So, you’ve decided that your child is appropriate for playschool. Before enrolling them, you might wish to check this list and see if you tick most of the boxes before making that decision.
1. Potty Trained Yet?
A lot of schools have a no-diaper policy. It’s best not to try and find one that doesn’t. One of the factors that will help confirm your child is the right preschool age is their being ‘potty trained’.
2. Does Your Child Interact Well with Other Kids?
While preschool is not where social interactions will be developed, you must ask yourself, ‘Is my child social at all’? Preschoolers need to be comfortable playing with other children; interaction and cooperation will form a huge part of their preschool lives.
3. Following Instructions
You must be thinking, ‘Oh my! Are we in a big school yet?’ Don’t worry! While preschool doesn’t have too many rules, your child needs to be able to follow simple instructions like cleaning up after themselves and walking in line with other children. To that effect, you might wish to assign your budding preschooler small duties like helping set the dinner table.
4. Health Matters
Another key consideration when brainstorming pre-kindergarten age is assessing if your child is ‘health-ready’. If they are constantly falling sick (especially with ear infections and bronchitis), you might wish to defer preschool entry until their immunity is a tad stronger.
5. Is that ‘Separation Anxiety’ too much?
Going to school should be a largely joyous experience, and if your child can’t bear to be a few hours apart from you daily, it’s probably not the appropriate preschool age for them yet. The very last thing you want is for them to have a meltdown. This is where children who transition from daycare to preschool find it easier.
6. Can Your Child Communicate with Others?
Unbeknownst to you, you might only understand the quirks of your child’s communication. It’s imperative that teachers in preschool can understand them, too. The right preschool age is when your child will at least be capable of rudimentary communication with teachers and other children. That way, they will not end up frustrated and devoid of an enjoyable nursery experience.
7. Is Your Child ‘Routine’ Ready?
Instructions are one thing, but routine drives the art of listening up a few notches. Playschools have a timetable that enforces this ‘sense of routine’: playtime, snack time, circle time, etc. The good news is children of this age thrive on routine. So, it’s not a bad idea to inculcate in them a sense of routine in the now. Once they are routine-ready, you can think, ‘Now might just be the time for pre nursery’.
8. Are Your Children Good Solo Players?
You might beg to differ, stressing the importance of the lesson of working in a team as central to your child’s education. You can set your worries aside. A good preschool will teach them just that. However, certain activities demand a solo performance in arts and crafts. These activities require a high level of focus. If your child enjoys working on jigsaw puzzles or even plain sketching, they might be the right age for pre-nursery.
There is no unique method for determining the right preschool age. In all probability, you will not have to do anything to help your child make a seamless transition into playschool, as they will naturally develop the required abilities in due course of time. However, it won’t harm to help ease their induction into what is undoubtedly a big step forward into a different world with the tips in this essay.
Visit EuroKids for a more engaging blog.
