Preparing for Preschool Adventures
What Parents and Children Might Discover as a
New School Year Begins
With preschools starting all across the country, many parents are preparing to send their children off to school for the first time. The BOZ Buzz recently spoke with educational expert Dr. Mary Manz Simon. Here is an edited transcript of that discussion:
Q: Do you think the start of preschool is emotionally harder on the parent or the child?
A: Starting preschool can be a growing experience, but it doesn't need to be hard for either a parent or a child. Of course, there can be difficult moments and times of concern, but advance preparation eases the transition for both parent and child. And that's what we're talking about — a transition from one season of life to another.
Fear of the unknown underlies many of the concerns that emerge during transitions. Before a child enters preschool, many teachers make home visits or host a classroom open house to reduce anxieties for children and their families. Young children are concrete thinkers. Make every effort to visit the classroom with your child and meet the caregivers prior to the first day. This physical preparation will reduce concerns for both you and your child.
Q: Emotionally, what does a child experience the first time in preschool?
A: Children respond differently in unfamiliar situations. While some preschoolers exude social confidence, other equally bright and personable children are more hesitant when seeing a room filled with new faces.
But regardless of how a child responds to preschool, encourage your child to share his feelings. Even the most verbal child might not want to talk immediately after class. Give him time and space to mentally process his experience before he's ready to share his feelings.
Q: Is a child's experience different when he or she is returning rather than beginning preschool?
A: Many of the unknowns that might have triggered concerns at the beginning of the first year are now gone. Some of the excitement may be missing too.
Q: What can parents expect from a good preschool?
A: Preschool offers an enriched year of life for your child. Your child should have a wide range of experiences that will trigger social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development. A Christian program will add a spiritual component to support your child's faith-walk. Your child should be mentally and physically active, because that's how young children learn.
Q: If you had one last piece of advice for parents, what would it be?
A: Enjoy your child and the new experiences that preschool offers both of you.
To read the entire interview with Dr. Simon on the BOZ website, click here.
