You can send your child to preschool once she is potty-trained. Preschool programs usually last half a day and include structured activities as well as some pre-kindergarten studies. It is not necessary to attend preschool for your child to be able to enter kindergarten. Preschool can be a great experience for most children.
Preschool enrollment has many benefits.
You can enjoy preschool because it allows you to spend some time alone without feeling guilty. While you enjoy a bubble bath, you can relax knowing that your child will be doing something useful. You could also use this time to do household chores. But that would be silly.
A good preschool program will also help your child to transition into a wider world of experiences and people. Few mothers are able to provide a structured curriculum of kid-centered activities, as you would find in a preschool. Even if you tried, it would be impossible. In your immediate area, it cannot be easy to find playmates for your children who are the right age.
Find a good Preschool.
It is not necessary to spend a lot of money to have a good preschool. Check references and any accreditation required by your state for licensing preschools. Community centers and churches often offer preschool programs.
You can find programs with an “aftercare” if you work away from home. I was lucky enough to find a school that had a facility attached to it where my kids could stay for longer and also take swimming lessons. You can find programs like this in many places.
The preschool gives children the chance to learn how they can get along with others. This can be a big shock for an only child. They are used to playing with toys at will, but in preschool, they’ll have to learn to take turns. You’ll be amazed at what your child is capable of when they are in a neutral person’s hands. You will find that your child wants to be babied but behaves like a gentleman or lady in front of the preschool teacher.
Separation Blues: How to cope with them
You may be forced to deal with the inevitable separation anxieties if your child does not have regular time spent with another caregiver prior to starting preschool. You walk your child out of the classroom, saying goodbye, getting ready to leave, and you find your child still hanging on to your legs. You unglue your fingers from the kneecaps of her child, only to discover that she has her legs wrapped around you in a vice-like grip.
You should reassure her and give her another hug…then leave. It isn’t easy. She’ll likely cry out in hysteria, extend her arms to you, and stamp her foot to protest your abandonment. It’s tempting to grab her and take her back into your arms.
Do not give in to the urge. You are confident that she will be in good hands at the preschool, and you are convinced that she will enjoy herself. You want her to attend. You’ve made your plans for the first time in years. This first separation is heartbreaking. Here’s a tip.
After you have moved out of the line of vision of your child, take a moment to pause before getting in your car and driving off. You can then quietly return to the building and listen to your child’s class door. You won’t be able to hear any screaming. You’ll likely hear giggling. If you peek through the window, you will see your daughter playing house with a girl of similar size.
The bittersweet process of releasing the reins
It is sometimes appropriate to grant your child’s request to be brought home from preschool. Your child might not be ready to make the big leap that preschool is. If he does not settle down in the first few weeks, you may want to defer his preschool until a few more months.
Nothing is worse than hearing your child call out your name and cry. You will want to comfort her. When you take your child to preschool, you want to push her beyond her comfort zone. She may fight you.
Your child will have a harder time trusting others if you are hesitant and unsure about your decision. Remember that your child may also be testing your ability to influence her behavior. It would be best if you did not give in to your child’s demands unless you feel that the situation is very bad.
Preschools are a bad choice.
It is important not to be paranoid when choosing a preschool. However, the care your child receives may be inadequate. You can surprise your child if they are always afraid of going to preschool. It is not acceptable to yell at children or spank them. They should not be ignored or left unsupervised. You want to create an environment where your child can grow and flourish. You are the customer. Do not question your feelings if the preschool is not up to your standards of care for your child. Act.
