Preparing Your Toddler for Preschool: Essential Tips for Parents

Helping Your Toddler Get Ready for Preschool

Starting the Preschool Adventure

Moving from home to preschool is a big step for your child. It can be exciting, but also a little scary. Some children can’t wait to play and meet new friends. Others might feel nervous. That’s okay! As a parent, you can help your child get ready so they feel happy and confident about starting preschool.

What Does Preschool Readiness Mean?

How to Know If Your Child Is Ready

• Social Skills: Your child should be able to take turns and play with other children.
• Language Skills: They should be able to talk in simple sentences and follow directions.
• Independence: Your child should know how to use the toilet, dress themselves, and eat with a spoon or fork on their own.

Most preschools, like Kia Mena Montessori, welcome kids who are between 3 and 5 years old. But every child grows and learns at a different pace. That’s okay, too!

You can also look at CDC’s child development tips to see what milestones your child may have reached.

Getting Ready at Home

Make Routines

• Having a routine helps kids feel safe and know what to expect.
• Try to wake up, eat, and go to bed at the same time each day.
• Use songs or fun cues to let them know when it’s time to do something, like clean up or get ready for bed.

Teach Independence

• Let your child practice things like putting on shoes, using the toilet, and opening lunch containers.
• Give lots of praise when they try, even if they don’t get it perfect!

Talk and Read Together

• Read books every day to build language skills and spark their imagination.
• Ask fun questions like, “What do you think will happen next?”
• Teach them to say please and thank you, and how to wait their turn.

Reading together is one of the best ways to help your child learn. You can find great book ideas on Scholastic.

Building Social and Emotional Skills

Making Friends

• Set up playdates so your child can get used to playing with others.
• Join group activities like music or storytime at your local library.
• Pretend play can help kids think through different social situations.

Handling Separation

• Start with short times apart to help your child feel safe and secure.
• Let them bring a favorite toy or blanket to school for comfort.

Learning About Feelings

• Use mirrors so your child can see and name their feelings, like happy or sad.
• Read books or play games that talk about different emotions.

Visit Zero to Three for more ways to support your child’s emotional growth.

Learning Basic Preschool Skills

Introduce Fun Learning Activities

• Play games that help your child learn letters and numbers.
• Do arts and crafts like coloring, painting, and cutting shapes.
• Practice naming colors and shapes around the house or outside.

Create a Learning Space

• Make a fun and quiet place for books and puzzles at home.
• Use toys that help with thinking and problem-solving, like blocks.

Keep Their Curiosity Alive

• Take walks and talk about what you see and hear.
• Visit fun places like libraries, museums, and parks together.

Check out museums and learning games at National Geographic for more hands-on learning ideas.

Keeping Your Child Safe and Healthy

Check Health and Vaccines

• Make sure your child is up to date on shots and doctor visits.
• Bring updated health records when applying to preschool.

Healthy Habits

• Give your child healthy foods and plenty of time to play each day.
• Try to stick to a bedtime so they get enough rest.

Help for Special Needs

• If your child needs extra help, speak with the school staff early.
• They can work with you to make learning fun and safe for everyone.

Choosing the Right Preschool

Things to Look For

• Learn about different types of schools, like Montessori schools, and see which one fits your child best.
• Visit schools and watch how teachers talk to the children.
• Ask about class sizes, daily activities, and how they handle learning and play time.

You can compare options on NIDirect or talk to other parents for trusted suggestions.

Ask Around

• Ask friends or neighbors what schools they like and why.
• Read online reviews to see what other families think of the school.

That First Big Day

Get Your Child Involved

• Go to “meet the teacher” days or open houses. It helps your child know what to expect.
• Let them help pick out a lunchbox or backpack to make it fun.

Pack Smart

• Label all their supplies so nothing gets lost.
• Pack an extra set of clothes and any needed items like tissues or wipes.

With your help, your toddler can feel happy and safe as they head off to preschool. This big step is the start of an amazing journey. Enjoy it together!