by Helium01

Created on: May 07, 2011

When you first hold your baby in your arms, you feel like the school years are very far away. Suddenly, your child begins walking and talking, and you realize that it is almost time for him to take those first steps outside of the nest. In order to make your toddler's transition to a pre-school environment less traumatic, there are a number of steps that you can take. Below are some tips to get you started.

Teach Your Child Social Skills

The first part of preparing children for pre-school involves teaching them simple social skills that will help them get along with other children. If your son or daughter is an only child, this is especially important to do. You should praise your child for sharing, playing nicely with others, following instructions, and saying please and thank you. Since children learn by looking at your example, you should also demonstrate these qualities yourself in a concrete way. Your child will learn to act in the same way that you do.

Place Your Child on a Schedule

A second way to help your child be ready for pre-school is to place your child on a strict daily schedule now if you have not done so already. When your son or daughter goes to school, they will be thrust into a world that is rigidly structured. They will have a certain time that they have to wake up in the morning, eat lunch, take naps, and even play. If you start putting them on a schedule now, it will be much easier for your toddler to get used to a school schedule later.

Combat Separation Anxiety

Finally, many children experience severe separation anxiety when their parents leave them with other people. When a child has to go to pre-school, this anxiety can become a real problem. If your child has never even had to go to a daycare, going to school can seem like a foreign world. You can begin getting your child slowly accustomed to staying with strangers by leaving her with a babysitter for short amounts of time. You should also visit the pre-school and the teacher with your toddler before the first day of school to get her acquainted with the people and surroundings.

You will probably find it very difficult to let your toddler leave you when it is time for him to go to pre-school. Even though you may be a little wistful, you should still do your best to make sure that your child is confident and prepared for this big change. You will be rewarded when your baby comes home from the first day of school with a huge smile.

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