Determining whether to send your child to preschool is never an easy decision. It's even more difficult when you hear other parents, who may be for or against preschool, voicing their opinions. However, you can make the best choice by being realistic about your child's unique personality, maturity level, and academic skills.
Is your child introverted or extroverted?
A child who is outgoing and enjoys being around people will probably adjust easily to the preschool environment. If your child gets along reasonably well with other children and likes making friends, you will likely have nothing to worry about when you enroll your child in a local preschool.
Children with introverted personalities may have one or two friends but tend to shy away from crowds and reaching out to make new friends. These children may enjoy playing quietly or reading by themselves. They may have a creative nature and thrive when they are busy working on a project alone.
However, that does not mean your introverted child would not do well in preschool. In fact, preschool may be a good choice for the introverted child, as it will help to prepare them for the reality of being in an actual classroom setting when they are old enough to begin kindergarten. You should consider having your child attend only a few days a week rather than full time to allow them time to adjust to being in a group.
Is your child independent with toileting and self-care?
Many preschools require children to be fully potty trained before they are accepted into the preschool program. If you are planning to enroll your child in preschool soon, you should plan to work on toileting habits and good hygiene in the months leading up to enrollment.
Be honest about your child's maturity level. If your child is having difficulty with potty training and learning good hygiene, it may be best to delay enrollment until your child matures more in these areas. Having bathroom accidents at school is not only embarrassing for your child, but it makes it difficult for the teacher to instruct the students and maintain order in the classroom.
Is your child an advanced learner?
Having a child who is well advanced academically is a wonderful thing. However, overachievers can become bored quickly when in a preschool setting. If your child is a fast learner and already knows numbers, colors, and shapes, a standard preschool curriculum may not be enough to hold their interest. This can lead to a child developing an adversity to a classroom setting.
You should contact your local preschool and ask if they offer any advanced learning material before you enroll your child. If not, you may want to consider other learning options to keep your child from getting bored. Your child's personality will also play a role. If they love interacting with other children and don't get bored easily, they may still flourish in a traditional preschool setting.
Preschool enrollment helps children prepare for kindergarten and allows them to develop friendships, but it's not right for every child. Taking an honest look at your child's unique personality, maturity level, and academic skills will help you make a wise decision regarding preschool enrollment. Look at this for more information.
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