How to Help Prepare Your Child for Success in Preschool

As parents, there are several key areas you can focus on to ensure your child is set up for success in preschool. You probably already incorporate many of these things into your daily routines with your child, so keep it up! 

Read as often as you can

Reading is one of the most impactful activities you can engage in with your child. Even just a few minutes a day helps to develop language skills, expands vocabulary, and enhances comprehension abilities. 

How reading helps:

• Language development: Regular reading exposes children to new words and phrases, boosting their language skills.
• Listening skills: Listening to stories helps children improve their attention span and auditory comprehension.
• Imagination and creativity: Stories stimulate a child’s imagination and creativity, encouraging them to think beyond their immediate surroundings.

Practical tips:

• Daily routine: Incorporate reading into your daily routine, making it a special bonding time.
• Variety of books: Provide a variety of books, including picture books, storybooks, and interactive books to keep your child engaged.
• Discuss stories: After reading, discuss the story with your child. Ask questions about the plot, characters, and their favorite parts.

Practice following directions

Following directions is something children will continue to work on in preschool (and beyond) but it’s always a good idea to practice at home. 

How to teach following directions:

• Simple instructions: Start with simple, one-step instructions and gradually move to multi-step directions.
• Consistency: Be consistent with your instructions and expectations.
• Positive reinforcement: Praise your child when they successfully follow directions.

Practical tips:

• Interactive games: Play games that involve following directions, such as "Simon Says" or treasure hunts.
• Model behavior: Demonstrate following directions in your daily activities and involve your child in these tasks.

Encourage Taking Turns and Sharing

Learning to take turns and share is tough for toddlers and preschoolers.This is a skill that comes with time, but encouraging your child to share and introducing them to the idea of taking turns is beneficial in the long run. 

How to encourage sharing:

• Model sharing: Show your child how to share by modeling this behavior for them often.
• Playtime: Engage in activities that require taking turns, such as board games or playing with shared toys.
• Praise and encourage: Acknowledge and praise your child when they share or take turns, reinforcing the positive behavior.

Practical Tips:

• Group activities: Arrange playdates or group activities where your child can practice sharing with other children.
• Set clear expectations: Explain the importance of sharing and the rules around it in a way your child can understand. 
• Be patient: Sharing is a tough skill for children to learn and it takes time. Give them (and yourself) some grace if they are having trouble sharing.

Get social

Preschool is all about learning to participate in a group and be a friend! You can help make the transition to preschool easier for your child by helping them socialize and make friends. 

How to support friendship building:

• Social opportunities: Provide opportunities for your child to interact with peers through playdates, park visits, or group activities.

Practical tips:

• Role-playing: Use role-playing to practice social scenarios and how to approach new friends.
• Encourage group play: Encourage your child to participate in group activities where they can meet and interact with other children.

Work on those listening ears

Why listening is key: Good listening skills are important for learning and following instructions in preschool. They help children understand and process information effectively, contributing to their overall success in preschool.

How to enhance listening skills:

• Model listening: Model active listening by making eye contact and acknowledging what your child says.
• Interactive stories: Use storytelling and interactive reading sessions to keep your child engaged and attentive.
• Listening games: Incorporate listening games like "I Spy" or "Sound Scavenger Hunts" to make listening fun and engaging.

Practical tips:

• Practice patience: Be patient and give your child time to listen and respond.
• Positive reinforcement: Praise your child when they demonstrate good listening skills to reinforce the behavior.

Foster independence 

Why independence is important: Independence helps children build confidence, develop problem-solving skills, and is important for their development.

How to foster independence:

• Self-help skills: Teach your child age-appropriate self-help skills such as dressing themselves, washing their hands, and using the bathroom independently when they’re ready. 
• Decision making: Give your child opportunities to make simple decisions, such as choosing their clothes for the day or selecting a snack. 
• Encourage exploration: Allow your child to explore their surroundings and try new activities on their own. 

Practical tips:

• Create a supportive environment: Set up your home environment to encourage independence. For example, place toys and books within your child’s reach, and provide step stools in the bathroom and kitchen so they can access sinks and countertops.
• Be patient and supportive: Give your child time to complete tasks on their own, and resist the urge to step in and do things for them. Offer guidance and support when needed, but let them take the lead.
• Praise efforts and achievements: Celebrate your child’s efforts and achievements, no matter how small. Positive reinforcement encourages them to keep trying and builds their confidence.