Preschool is about more than just nap time and blocks. When your child goes to preschool, she should learn how to make friends, follow directions and behave in a classroom. With the wide variety of preschool programs available, making a choice can be daunting. Keep your child's needs and strengths in mind when you're making any choice about preschool to ensure that the decisions you make are best for her.
Types of Programs
Just as all children are not created equal, all preschool programs are not the same. The most common type of preschool program is often referred to as "play-based," in which teachers teach children a variety of lessons through play. Children are also given "free playtime" in these programs. Other types of programs, such as those that follow the Montessori approach, are child-centered, in which each child is given the freedom to choose his own activities. Some programs are more academic and focus on building early reading and math skills, and others have religious affiliations. Think about what type of program best suits your child's needs and your own beliefs.
Choosing a Program
Once you know what type of preschool program you want for your child, you must visit each school. When you're visiting, pay attention to whether the children seem engaged and happy. Look carefully at the facilities to make sure they're safe and well-kept. Observe how the teachers interact with the students and think about whether your child is likely to respond well to the teaching style. Talk to the administrators about the daily schedule and discipline styles. If possible, bring your child along on the visit to see if she seems comfortable in the environment.
Getting Your Child Ready
If your child has spent all his time at home with a parent, he may need some preparation before he's ready to begin preschool. Schedule play dates with new children so that he can work on making friends on a one-on-one basis. Read books with him every day to start teaching him the letters of the alphabet. Consider whether he has the stamina to stay active for several hours at a time. If he still needs a morning nap, start putting him to bed earlier and work toward weaning him off the morning nap.
When to Begin Preschool
While some parents start their children in preschool at the age of 2 1/2, others wait until age 3 or 4. Think about how many years of preschool your child could benefit from. Children who don't have much experience with other children benefit from more time in preschool, while children who have spent years in day care may be fine with one year of preschool. Start looking at schools as much as a year before you want your child to begin, since you may need several months to help her prepare for preschool and some programs have lengthy waiting lists.
