10 Essential Tips for Parents Preparing Their Child for Preschool

Getting Ready for Preschool

Starting preschool is a big step for both kids and parents. It can be exciting, fun, a little scary, and full of questions. At Kia Mena Montessori, we understand how important this moment is. That’s why we’ve put together 10 helpful tips to get your child ready for preschool success.

What Is Preschool All About?

Preschool is a place where young children get ready for big school. They learn through play, meet new friends, and follow fun daily routines. It’s not just babysitting—preschool helps your child grow, learn, and become more independent. Learning about what happens at preschool can help your child feel more comfortable when it’s time to start.

Tip 1: Talk to the Teachers

Before your child starts preschool, ask the school some important questions, like:

What does a typical day look like?
What are the rules for snacks, naps, and visits?
Is there an open house or orientation day?

Talking to the staff can help you feel more prepared and shows your child that school is safe and friendly. You can also learn more about preschool programs from trusted sources.

Tip 2: Start a Routine

Having a regular routine helps children feel safe and know what to expect every day. Try these tips:

Go to bed and wake up at the same time each day.
Do the same things before bed, like brushing teeth and reading a story.
Practice your new routine a few weeks before school starts.

Routines make mornings smoother and help your child feel ready for school.

Tip 3: Let Them Do Things on Their Own

Preschoolers love to do things by themselves. Help them grow by:

Letting them pick out their own clothes, even if they don’t match perfectly.
Giving them small chores, like putting toys away or helping set the table.
Celebrating their efforts, no matter how small!

These little steps build confidence and help your child get used to doing things without help.

Tip 4: Practice Being a Good Friend

Preschool is a great place to make new friends! Help your child learn social skills by:

Setting up playdates with other children.
Playing games that involve taking turns and sharing.
Showing them how to say “please,” “thank you,” and “I’m sorry.”

These social skills help your child feel happy and included at school. You can also explore more helpful parenting tips at Parents.com.

Tip 5: Build Language Skills

Talking and listening are big parts of learning. Try these fun ways to build language:

Read a story together every day.
Talk about your day and ask your child questions.
Make up stories together or play pretend games.

This helps your child feel more ready to talk and listen in class. For more ideas, check out Reading Rockets.

Tip 6: Visit the School Together

Show your child where they’ll be going to school. You can:

Visit the classroom and meet the teacher.
Take a walk or drive by the school a few times.
Talk about what they might see and do there.

When the school feels familiar, your child will feel more at ease on their first day.

Tip 7: Handle Goodbyes Gently

Saying goodbye can be tough. Help your child feel better by:

Talking about feelings and saying it’s okay to be nervous.
Practicing short times apart before school starts.
Making a special goodbye, like a hug or a secret handshake.

These hugs and rituals build trust and make goodbyes easier.

Tip 8: Introduce Learning Through Fun

Preschool is full of learning through play! Try exploring learning at home by:

Playing simple games with numbers, shapes, and colors.
Counting things around the house or sorting objects by size or color.
Answering your child’s “Why?” questions with fun facts.

Learning this way helps children get excited for school. Visit Sesame Street for playful learning activities.

Tip 9: Teach Healthy Habits

Help your child stay healthy and safe by teaching:

How to wash hands well with soap and water.
How and when to use tissues or cough into their elbow.
When to ask an adult for help.

These simple habits keep everyone feeling their best and teach personal responsibility.

Tip 10: Talk About Feelings

Preschoolers have big emotions! Help them handle feelings by:

Letting them talk about how they feel.
Helping them name emotions like happy, sad, or nervous.
Teaching deep breaths, calming hugs, or quiet time when needed.

Understanding feelings helps kids feel strong and safe in their new school.

You’re Ready!

Getting ready for preschool is a journey full of excitement and love. These 10 tips will help your child take big steps toward learning, growing, and having fun. And remember, the team at Kia Mena Montessori is here to support you.

Let’s Hear From You!

Do you have tips that helped your child get ready for preschool? Share them with our community! Let’s help make preschool an amazing experience for all our little learners.

Helpful Resources

With love, patience, and these great tips, your child is on their way to an exciting new world of learning!