If your child is a year or less away from preschool, you are probably cherishing the time you have with them before they start the grind of their lifelong education. But this is also a time period in which you should be doing whatever you can to make sure that your child is actually ready for the road ahead. If you want your child to hit the ground running in preschool, you can take them to certain events now or educate them at home in a way that will prepare them for the first day of preschool. Here are some ideas that might help.
Your Local Library Might Be Able to Help
Most libraries have a children's section with books for kids of all ages. Get into the habit of taking your kid to the local library once a week during the summer before preschool starts and read a book with them. It might be even better if the library has a youth program where the kids can sit and listen to a librarian or a volunteer read to them. Getting together with other kids at the library is also a great way to prepare your child for interacting with other kids (and adults who are not Mom and Dad) when they head off to their preschool program.
Start Their Curfew Early
Some young kids will be tired enough at night to fall asleep on their own without assistance, but only you know what kind of kid you have what their sleep schedule usually looks like. If you want the start of the school year to go smoothly, put them on a curfew during the summer months. It doesn't have to be the same "go to bed" time as the school year, but you want them to get used to going to bed at the same time every night. You may also want to wake your child up every day at a certain time to simulate getting up and getting ready for school.
Break Out the Old Photo Albums
If the idea of school is still foreign to your kid, help familiarize them with the idea. Break out some photos from when you were a kid and going to school. If your child has older siblings, get them involved in talking about it. (Just make sure none of your older kids start going off about how "boring" they find it.) Seeing old photos or hearing old stories from your time in school can help mentally prepare your child for what to expect.
