Preparing a child for preschool?

Question

My nephew is starting preschool in the fall and I want to help him prepare before I leave for college. Right now I live with him and his parents so we spend a lot of time together. I just need to know in what ways I can help him?

Answer 1

Take him to story hour at the public library.  That will help him with sitting in a group and listening for a short period of time.  Take him to the park and the playground, places where he is likely to meet lots of other kids, and just let him run and play and socialize.  That will help him adjust to being around large groups of other children.  Help him to learn independence.  Encourage him to put his own shoes on.  Remind him to wash his hands, but don't do it for him.  Let him dress himself and comb his own hair and encourage him to clean up independently.  Remind him to put things away and help him if necessary but don't do it for him.  Carry on conversations with him and really listen to what he has to say.  Ask open ended questions.  Don't say Want to go for a walk?  That's a yes/no question.  Say Shall we walk to the library or the park this morning?  Which way do we go?  Shall we walk fast, slow, or medium, or should we run?

Answer 2

help him with writing his name, naming the letters as he goes, colors, shapes, number, letters.  Preschool is for kindergarten readiness so don't worry too much about preparing him -that's kind of what preschool is for!  If you ask a teacher what they would like when a child enters kindergarten, it would be happily separating from mom, sitting still, self control, self reliance (get those coats zipped by themselves, - these are things he will learn IN preschool and a preschool teacher really doesn't expect a child to know these things - it would just be heaven if they did!  :)

Answer 3

Be honest from the start with him. Explain to him that because he's such a big boy now he will soon go to preschool, with lots of other boys and girls. Talk about the kind of things he will be doin for example u could say how he will get to play outside on on the bikes etc and inside with all the toys and have snack with his friends, draw, paint, be read stories etc. You could also read him a story about a child starting preschool, and how the child felt and what happened etc.

It's also important that u spend time with your nephew in the setting so he becomes familiar with with the setting, routine, teacher and maybe make a friend or two. Ensure he knows where the toilets are. Also never try to 'sneak' out when he's not lookin. Some people think this is the best thing to do because that way they dont have to see their child cry. But infact it causes the child to feel insecure. It's important to tell the child that u will be leavin them, maybe tell them what your goin to do (shoppin, cleanin etc) and that u are goin to come back. This way even if they are upset that u have left them, when u come back (like u said u would) they become secure and trust your word. It wont take long for him to feel secure in the fact that you will always come back for him, leaving him to play and learn happily.

Answer 4

Preschool should be a place where your child should feel comfortable. To prepare a child for preschool you need to talk to him/her that they will be in a classroom and that they are a big boy or girl and that it is okay to be scared but that mommy will come back. I think this helps children be aware and don't worry if he/she is scared this is completely normal. It takes a child approximately two weeks or longer for a child to feel adjusted to their new environment.

Answer 5

you just need to prepare by preparing bag and snacks!!!!!!

Answer 6

Preschool IS for preparing them. Don't do anything. I called the school and asked them the same question before my son started and they told me thats what they are there for.

I listened to them and he's doing great.

Answer 7

preschool as i remember just happened, but get yor nephew to socialize with other kids before he starts preschool so there is no fighting or embarassing thing going to happen.

Answer 8

Routine behaviors.. and sitting down for a while.... is probably the most hard thing for a new preschooler to do. Also... alphabet, colors, numbers,letters, coloring, how to tie shoes. Playing with other kids his age. TAlking. All of these things is what a preschooler knows. Then again, some children have no one to prepare them for preschool so you wont have to worry too much because he definatly won't be out of place or behind. However, if you teach him too much he may be far advance than other student and get bored in what the preschool is teaching him and that sometimes leads to behavior problems.

Answer 9

colors, shapes, alphabet, numbers, art....work on listening skills...so teaching him soccer or something can prepare him to listen to firection/ coaching.