It doesn’t matter whether it’s your first child or your third child, sending them off to preschool is never easy. Every child takes the transition to preschool differently, which means you’re going to have to figure out how you can see that your toddler is ready for the next step. As their parents, you know all of their nuances, you know all of their quirks, and you understand what they mean when they Babble at you. Believing that a teacher is going to be able to understand the same thing is hard.It comes to a stage where your toddler outgrows childminders and starts needing to step into the next phase of life, which is preschool.
Starting preschool is never easy, but it’s mostly difficult for a parent more so than it is for the child. Even if they’ve been in daycare or seeing a babysitter for a while, it’s still nerve wracking to let your child go off with a whole new set of strangers. Because while these strangers are qualified teachers, they are still strangers. How do you know your child is ready for this next step? Let’s take a look at six signs that your toddler is very ready to step up to preschool.
They are fairly independent.
If you have a toddler who’s already going off to a childminder every day quite comfortably, or happy to go to a birthday party, then you know that they are independently able to be away from you. Do they handle change or transitions in their current day care well or are they struggling at home? Are they able to skip off with their cousins and friends to have fun without worrying where you are? Children often deal with separation differently. Some children are anxious when it comes to separating from a parent, but other children are happy to skip in and go and play. As a parent, you will know fairly soon whether they are ready for that transition. You also have to remember that you have to be fairly independent to let them go and handle this transition by themselves.
They are happy to interact with peers.
This is one of the biggest factors that you need for determining whether your child is ready for preschool. If they are fairly outgoing and they’re able to go and introduce themselves to new people without interference, then it’s a good sign that they’re ready to go to preschool. When they get given time to play with classmates and children of their own age, it can allow them to thrive. If they’re ready to play with children their own age and they’re not just looking to play with you, it’s a great sign that you’ve raised an independent and confident child.
They’re OK in busy spaces.
Daycare and childminder facilities are not often as busy as a preschool facility. Peer interaction is a key part of preschool, and that sets it apart from daycare. The routines are different and there are often more children in one space than a smaller group. If your child is OK with handling bigger groups of other children, then it’s a good sign that they are ready to go to preschool.
They’re getting there with potty training.
It sounds like an obvious thing, but if your child is not neurodivergent, then there’s every chance that they should be in the midst of potty training right now. Neurodivergent children often train much later than neurotypical kids, and it’s nothing to be ashamed of if your child is not yet potty trained, it does take longer for some kids. If they are getting there with potty training though, and you are confident that they can take themselves to and from the bathroom without help, then it’s a good sign that they’re also ready for preschool because it’s another level of independence that you didn’t have with your child before.
They can communicate their needs.
A child being able to say what they need and what they don’t need is so important before they join a preschool environment. Young children develop language skills at varying rates, and even if your child signs more than they do speak, it’s a good idea to ensure that your child can still confidently communicate their needs. Even if all they do is point and lead a trusted adult to what they’re talking about, you have to feel comfortable that your child will be able to speak up in situations that they are uncomfortable in.
It’s a good match.
There are so many choices when it comes to preschools that if you do find one that matches your child’s needs and their wishes, then you’re going to be in a good position to move your child into it. It’s not just about whether it’s play based or academic based, but whether your child is comfortable in the environment and feels settled once they move in there.
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