Homeschooling

If there´s a greatest time to homeschool, it would be the preschool years. There are no expectations of academic acheivement and learning is pure fun! If your child isn´t ready for preschool or you like the idea of keeping him or her home, look into homeschooling for your toddler. For more info go to www.homeschool-tips.com

A photo for reference

Take a photo of your Preschool class on the first day and write down the children´s first names. This "class photo" will be a handy reference in those first couple of weeks when you are getting to know the children. It will also be lovely to look back on as the year progresses to see how they have grown and changed.

Meet teacher in advance

Want to help your child make an easier adjustment to preschool/kindergarden? Take him to the school prior to the first day to meet his new teacher and show him the classroom. The teacher will most likely be at school the day before class starts. Your child will feel more confident if he knows what to expect.

Blow troubles away...

Take a pinwheel or bubbles to school. A child cannot cry while blowing! I use it to distract my 5-yr-old granddaughter. I make her blow my bangs away, try to blow me off my chair, blow me backwards, etc. Of course, I have to try very hard to stay where I am, and I get off-balance with all that strong wind coming at me! Soon she stops crying and ends up laughing
hysterically, forgetting about any booboo or disappointment.

Go Along

Most teachers really appreciate all the help that parents can provide. If you can arrange it, go along to your child´s preschool and do small tasks to help the teacher, observing your child all the while.

Alternative centres.

There are so many alternatives for preschool today. If you live in a city you will no doubt have many options available. Searching on the web for the philosophies behind the schools can be a great help. You may come across Steiner or Waldorf schools and Montessori centres are growing in popularity. There are preschools for many different religious groups and other "alternative" community-based preschools. There are co-operatives and playgroups and of course there are public preschools and homeschooling. Whatever choice you make, being aware of your options can be useful if things aren´t running smoothly.

Co-operative Preschool

Not ready to drop off your child at preschool, but want to enroll her in an educational program? Try a co-operative preschool. Parents actively participate in the programs with their children and have the option to drop-off the child when appropriate. You and your child will both be invested in the school and you will know exactly what is going on at the school.

Stay Organised!

Whether homeschooling preschoolers, running a daycare or teaching a class, organisation is the key. It is hard to juggle all the fun learning activities available with the day-to-day stuff, and PLAY!

Draw up a loose chart or timetable and be flexible until it is running smoothly. A colourful chart on a wall or in view will help keep you all on track.

There are many printable versions online, which may suit your needs or inspire you. Search "printable timetables" or "printable schedules" with your favourite Search engine. I like Google and Yahooligans for education sites.

Teaching your child his name

If you can teach your child to read his or her name before Preschool, and label her possessions clearly, it will save a lot of confusion for all concerned. If your child isn´t ready to learn to recognise his or her name, you could use a symbol or their initials.

Not ready for preschool?

If you feel your child is not ready for preschool, trust your intuiton. As long as you are involved with your child at home, he will not fall behind his peers who are enrolled in preschool. Preschool is optional and forcing your child to go can be detrimental to his confidence.