by Robin Tidwell

Created on: August 18, 2009   Last Updated: August 27, 2009

Ideally, a child should have been prepared for his first day of preschool long before actually attending. Ideally, too, the definition of preschool is limited to meaning "before formal education" or "a preparatory place for small students, ages three to four".

This isn't always the case: some dual-income households must place children in daycare, a different prospect than preschool; some daycares use the name "preschool", which is really a misnomer.

A preschool helps to prepare a child for kindergarten enrollment; basic educational skills are taught, creative expression is allowed, development of fine and gross motor skills are encouraged. In today's world, many daycares emulate the program content of preschools, but generally preschools are a bit more structured and more skills are implemented, taught, and tracked.

To help prepare a child for preschool, the parent must first do their own homework in locating and assessing a preschool. Things to consider are location, cost, hours of operation, and program content. Faculty and staff and safety issues must also be researched.

Once a preschool is chosen, a parent should take the child to visit at least once, preferably several times. When a child is enrolled, even if the start date is some months in the future, a good preschool will allow multiple visits, or even a gradual attendance; if possible, a parent may wish to attend with the child for a few hours on a weekly basis, then allow the child to attend alone, and gradually work up to fulltime. This could take place over a period of just a few weeks.

A parent can also, of course, and should, talk to the child about the preschool experience: games and toys, schedules, reasons for attendance (i.e., Mommy must work, Susie will learn all kinds of new things, etc.), lunch and snacks, and so forth. The more a child hears about the positive aspects of preschool, and the more she becomes familiar with the details, the easier the transition. Allow the child to ask questions, express fears and concerns, and even make-believe play going to school.

Purchasing school clothes and even a new backpack, like the big kids use, can go a long way toward increasing excitement and lowering any apprehension. Assure your child that yes, you will be available should she really, really need you and yes, you will be picking her up, every day. Try to address any concerns your child has, perhaps more than once, whenever they are brought up in conversation.

In spite of your preparation

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