Kids Galore

There is so much more to be learned in preschool that counting and ABCs. Children learn to accept other adults in their life, to accept and respect authority, to take care of themselves (for instance, putting on all their winter clothes by themselves), and to get along with other children.

Did you know that preschool literacy is not just about learning and putting together letters and sounds? At this stage, children also learn how to hold a book correctly, how to turn the pages correctly, and directionality (in what order the text is read).

In Waldorf preschools, teachers create a comfortable, homelike environment that gives the children plenty of opportunities to imitate what they see and to engage in creative play. Activities may include painting, singing, baking bread, or playing make-believe.

Preschool isn't just about your child learning to read and count; it's about building critical social skills as well. In the preschool setting, children learn to use compromise and conflict resolution skills, play actively with children, and use language to engage in meaningful conversation.

Even if your child has been toilet trained for a while, you may still want to send a change of clothes to preschool. Accidents of all types happen and kids are usually more comfortable in their own clothes.

In preschool, much of what happens in the classroom appears to be simple play, but these activities are actually readying children for later learning. For instance, solving puzzles and building with blocks are in fact early forms of math.

Open, positive communication between you and your child's preschool teachers is key to your child's success in his/her classroom. It is important to think of your child's teacher as your teammate, working with you to raise the best child possible. If you notice that something is not working, talk to the teacher to find out how you can work on the issue together.

Do you give your preschooler chores to do at home? Believe it or not, teachers can usually pick out which children do. A child who is entrusted to water plants, fold washcloths, feed the pets, or set the table are more confident and have a sense of competency.

Although it's often faster to tie your child's shoe or do something else for them, it's important to let them master it on their own. By showing patience, it will also help teach them patience.

In some cases, children who aren't quite old or emotionally mature enough to go into a standard preschool program can still benefit from education programs geared to their age group.

Parents often notice that their children seem more cooperative at school than they do at home. This is because there is a predictable routine at school, and children know what is expected of them. Decide on a few routines to establish at home to keep your child's routine consistent and help them feel safe and confident.

Take cues from your child's preschool classroom in how to prepare your home environment. Note that the classroom is set up with furniture and necessities within reach for your child. Also, there are plenty of activities available so that your child can learn how to explore and practice skills without much direction.

Being a preschool age child can be a confusing time because they haven't learned to understand emotions yet. You can make it less confusing by helping them to associate feelings like sadness and frustration with their related words.