Is Your Child
Ready for Preschool?
 By
Dixie Jordan
©2001 by Parents' Press
Illustration © 2001 Artville LLC
Preschool is often a child's
first big step toward independence, away from home and into the
larger world. How can you tell if your child is ready?
Let's look first at just what
we mean by the term. "Preschool" usually refers to
a structured group program for ages 3 and 4, often part-day,
that focuses on age-appropriate learning experiences. It's not
interchangeable with "child care," although especially
if you are working outside the home or going to school
it may be combined with full-day care in the same setting.
The goals may vary according
to each preschool's philosophy, but they generally include such
things as learning to interact well with other children, following
a regular routine, and exposure to a wide range of developmentally
appropriate activities, from art and music to outdoor play.
Here are some points to consider:
 Age. Many preschools set a minimum age for
entrance, often 2.9 years or older. In general, preschool is
designed to cover the two years before entrance to kindergarten.
(This may vary depending on your child's birthday; at the time
this article is being written, California requires children to
be 5 years old by Dec. 2 of the academic year they begin kindergarten.
Private schools may want children to be a bit older when they
enter kindergarten. A child with a "late" birthday
from autumn to early winter might spend an extra
year in preschool or pre-kindergarten, or you might delay preschool
for a year.) Younger children may enroll in toddler programs.
Toilet
training and self-care. This is a major consideration
most preschools want children to be toilet trained, although
an occasional accident isn't usually a problem. Diapers at naptime
are acceptable at some full-day programs. (Although you may be
tempted, don't try to rush toilet training. It's far better to
delay preschool than to pressure a toddler who's not quite ready
for the potty. She will get there eventually, on her own internal
schedule.)
Preschoolers should also be able
to express their needs to their teachers, to feed themselves
(not necessarily neatly!), and to dress or undress themselves
partially, such as pulling down elastic-waist pants to use the
potty.
Developmental
issues. In general, children starting preschool should be
able to work and play independently for short periods, to focus
on one project or task for several minutes, to follow simple
instructions, and to sit still for a few minutes for group activities
such as "circle time." It's helpful if a youngster
has some experience in playing with (or alongside) other children.
Separation
issues. Some children are ready to spend time away from their
parents or primary caregivers earlier than others. If your child
has an especially hard time separating from you, you may want
to delay preschool for a few months or even a year.
You need to be ready for the
separation, too if you are anxious about your child starting
preschool, he will pick up on that anxiety.
Children who have adjusted well
to child care outside the home will probably handle the transition
to preschool without major difficulties.
Slow-to-warm-up
kids. Child development experts who study children's inborn
temperaments often identify three main groups: the easy child
(the largest group), the difficult child (sometimes more tactfully
expressed as challenging), and a type that tends to get less
attention from the experts, the slow-to-warm-up child.
If your child has a difficult
time with transitions, new situations, and new people, but handles
things well once they have become familiar, she may fall into
this category. A slow-to-warm-up youngster may have a hard time
with the first few days, weeks, or even couple of months of preschool,
yet ultimately adjust very well.
Special
needs. Developmental delays, physical disabilities, and language
delays don't necessarily rule out preschool, but it may be harder
to find an appropriate program. Allow yourself extra time to
explore the options.
If you are thinking about preschool
several months before your child would enter a program (typically
in the autumn), you'll be trying to predict her readiness and
development. Remember that at this age, a few months can make
a big difference.
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