by Bonnie Meridieth

Created on: December 10, 2009

All of us want to believe that our precious children are the most brilliant children on earth.  It's true.  They are.  But, does being the most brilliant child on earth make them ready for preschool?  There really is a lot to look at before you make this decision.

There are many things that have to be considered before putting your child in preschool.  First off, is your child in need of some special form of help as in speech therapy, or a physical condition that the "toys" that preschool have would benefit your child?  If so, there are many preschool programs that cater to these sorts of things, and your child would be an excellent candidate for a therapeutic preschool.  It's amazing what they can do to help your child, no matter how creative and book smart they are, be better prepared to enter main stream school.

Other preschools are aimed strictly at the academic.  With these schools, the best thing you can do is to visit the school personally, and set up an interview with your child.  The staff at these schools will be able to give you a very good idea of whether preschool is for your family.

Some of the things that most preschools are adamant about, is that your child is "potty trained", and are prepared to follow instructions.

While there are a lot of advantages of preschool, especially if your child does need some sort of therapy, it is not mandatory for them to take before going into main stream school.  The teacher's in preschool help your child to follow instructions, create structure, teach them time construction, how to eat healthy, how to clean up after themselves, among other activities.  However, most parents want to get their children into preschool because they feel that it is a reflection of their child’s intelligence.  This couldn't be further from the truth.

If you have a stay at home parent in the household, all of these things can be taught at home, and it allows you more time with that precious child that will be grown up before you know it.  Cherish these moments.  Reading to your child will help them to read.  Letting them set the table for meals, and even preparing some of them such as sandwiches and fruit with cheese, will help them learn about nutrition,  having them help clean off the dishes afterwards, and helping them clean up their rooms will help them take responsibility.  It doesn't take a preschool to teach your children these things.

Spending time with you and being allowed to help you in everyday activities will help your child to become ready for main stream education, and make them feel special to be able to help you around the home.

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