Preschool can be exciting, but also produce anxiety in both you and your child. But it doesn’t have to! Preschool teaches important fundamentals that they’ll need for the rest of their lives.
So, how do you set your child up for success ahead of preschool? We’ve compiled four tips for acing another school year that we think will help both you and your child tremendously!
Four Tips for Acing Another Year of Preschool
- Resist the temptation to compare
- Remember: this too shall pass
- Listen to your toddler
- Make friends with other parents
Resist the Temptation to Compare
Whether you’re tempted to compare your child to their classmates or older siblings, comparing one child to another in anything can do a number on your preschool child’s self-esteem. Instead, remember that every child is different. Every child is growing and learning at a different pace, and that’s okay! Instead, keep praising your child’s efforts, rather than outcomes. That’ll build your child’s self-confidence and give them the support they need to keep trying.
Remember: This Too Shall Pass
Whatever stage you’re in right now with your preschool student will pass soon. Whether your child is the pickiest eater ever to walk this Earth or seems only to know the words “no” and “mine,” we assure you, you’ll both get through this. Preschoolers are so focused on themselves at ages three and four, so it comes as no surprise that they have a hard time sharing. By encouraging them to share with their friends and modeling good sharing behavior yourself, you can show your child that sharing can be fun, too!
Listen to Your Toddler
Have you ever noticed that your preschooler always wants to talk to you when you happen to be in the middle of laundry, washing dishes, or catching up on emails? That’s because children crave their parent’s attention and no matter what they have to say, it seems important to them at that moment! So, take the time to speak with them instead of going right back to those chores.
Some of our favorite questions you can use to talk with your toddler at the end of the school day are:
- What was your favorite part of your day?
- What was the hardest part of your day?
- Who did you play with today?
- Did you learn anything new? (If you know they had a song that day or art project, you can be specific to the type of activity.)
Make sure to share your day, too!
Make Friends with Other Preschool Parents
Fellow parents at your child’s school might become your best friends and strongest support system. Think about it: you’re all simultaneously learning and growing together, why not invest in those relationships? We aren’t meant to go through life alone, so having a few friends who truly understand the struggles of parenting a preschooler is essential to making the process even more bearable!
If you need more tips, make sure to ask your teacher. Sometimes what you are working on at home can translate directly to a skill in the classroom. Working together with your preschooler’s teachers can help!