Inside: Find out what preschoolers really need to be prepared with to enter preschool. Help prepare your toddler for preschool with this survival guide containing five of the most important skills toddlers need to know. Including printable role play scenarios and emotion cards for social skill practice.
Entering preschool can be a nerve-racking time for toddlers and parents. A common misconception is that the main skills toddlers need to enter preschool are academic. The truth is that educators will tell you the real skills toddlers need to come prepared with are social and emotional. Discover how to prepare your toddler for preschool with this survival guide containing five of the most important skills toddlers need to know.
Click here to get your scenarios and emotion cards to practice with your toddler.
How to Prepare Your Toddler for Preschool
1. Self-control
Teaching your toddler about self-control will help prepare your toddler for preschool. When entering preschool, toddlers need to be able to keep their hands to themselves, listen to a teacher giving instructions, wait for their turn and more. Parents can help toddlers learn self-control by starting small. Much of the self-control needed for preschool will involve waiting. Waiting for their turn. Waiting in line. Waiting to talk until the teacher is done talking. Parents can begin by giving toddlers small opportunities to wait for activities, items, or toys they want and building up the toddler’s endurance for self-control.
Related: Deep Dive into Smart Kids: Why Parents are Reading Educational Books for Toddlers
2. Following Directions
Toddlers who learn how to follow directions will have a much easier time in preschool than those who don’t have this skill. Parents can help their child learn how to follow directions by practicing with simple one-step direction instructions. When a child successfully attempts or follows the instructions, parents can praise the child to encourage progress. Another strategy is to play the game Simon Says. To play this game, the parent would say “Simon says…” followed by an action. For example, “Simon says, touch your knees.”
3. Responsibility
Preschoolers will be presented with many opportunities to explore new situations and objects. One skill that will prepare your toddler for preschool is responsibility. Parents can teach toddlers responsibility by completing activities with the child and modeling explicitly how to explore new tools. For example, parents can teach toddlers how to use crayons gently so they don’t break, clean up wrappers up after a snack, or put items away in an organized way. Toddlers will need to be taught specifically how to take care of items in a responsible way.
4. Expressing Emotions & Conflict Resolution
Preschool for many toddlers will be an opportunity to be surrounded by many peers. With this opportunity will come the need to talk about emotions, both positive and negative. Preschoolers will be faced with situations in which they need to solve conflicts with peers. One great way parents can practice expressing different emotions and conflict resolution is through role playing scenarios with their toddler. In each role play, toddlers will have the opportunity to practice problem-solving of classroom situations or reinforcing positive social skills. Click here to get your scenarios and emotion cards to practice with your toddler.
5. Discussing Ideas
Toddlers need to learn how to discuss academic ideas. Parents help their toddler practice this skill by asking open-ended questions about different subjects. For example, after reading a book, a parent can ask “What did this story make you think about?” Another example is when going to a walk, the parent can ask, “What do you see, hear, or smell?”
Reviewing the 5 Important Skills to Prepare Your Toddler for Preschool
Parents can help toddlers have a smooth transition into preschool by practicing the following skills with them:
1. Self-control
2. Following Directions
3. Responsibility
4. Expressing Emotions & Conflict Resolution
5. Discussing Ideas
How will your family prepare your toddler for preschool?
P.S. If you enjoyed this piece, you may also like Over 100 Easy Kids Activities That are Surprisingly Fun.
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