Is My Child Ready for Preschool?

By Candace Cox

One question I often hear is, “How do I know my child is ready for preschool?” The good news is there isn’t a lot that your child needs to know in order to be ready for preschool. However, there are a few ways to predict if your child is ready for the academic, emotional, physical, and social expectations of preschool.

Academic

Potential preschoolers do not need to know their ABC’s, shapes and colors, how to count, etc. to be successful in preschool. All of those skills will be taught in class, and the children will be met at their level, wherever that may be. One developmental skill that shows your preschooler’s readiness to learn those things is speech. If your child often speaks in complete sentences, answers simple questions, and follows simple directions, it is likely they are ready for the academic challenges that come with preschool.

Emotional

Preschool is likely a child’s first experience with school and the expectations that come with having a group of children together. Children at this age are still learning to regulate their emotions, and kids do not need to be experts at this in order to attend preschool. It is, however, a good sign that they are ready if they are able to calm themselves in ten minutes or less with limited help. It is also a good sign if they have shown success in being left in the care of other adults in the past.

Physical

The physical expectations of preschool are closely tied with the emotional. Children who can easily regulate their emotions will often also be able to adjust to new expectations. If your child can stay engaged in an activity (other than TV or technology) for 20 minutes or more, this is a good sign they are ready for preschool. It is also a good sign if they listen to a 10-minute story without getting bored.

Another physical expectation of preschool is potty training. At Little Dragons Preschool, children need to be fully potty trained in order to attend. Occasional accidents are to be expected at this age, but if your child uses the toilet independently, including wiping without assistance, and they wear underwear, they meet this requirement.

Social

Preschool is a great time for children to learn social skills. For many, it is their first experience in a group of children they are not related to. There are plenty of opportunities for them to develop social skills such as sharing, having conversations, and playing together with friends. Your child does not need to have these skills already in order to be successful in preschool, but it certainly helps if they have had previous experiences with children their own age.

Ask Yourself These Questions

Is your child at least three years old?

Does your child speak in full sentences?

Can your child answer simple questions? (For example: What is your name? What are you doing? Etc.)

Can your child carry out a simple one-step instruction? (For example: ‘sit here,’ ‘put the yellow block on the table,’ etc.)

When they are upset, does your child calm themself in 10 minutes or less with limited assistance?

Has your child been left in the care of other adults before?

Does your child stay engaged in an activity, other than technology, for 20 minutes?

Does your child sit for a 10 minute story without leaving?

Does your child use the toilet independently, including wiping?

Does your child wear underwear during the day?

Does your child have experiences with children their own age?

If you answered “yes” to most or all of the above questions, your child is most likely ready for the academic, emotional, physical, and social expectations of preschool.

If you answered “yes” to some of the above questions, your child still may be ready for preschool! Feel free to reach out to me with any concerns you may have. I can help you get a better idea of whether your child is ready!

If you answered “no” to most or all of the above questions, your child may struggle with some of the expectations of preschool. I’d be happy to talk with you about ways to help them prepare, or about accommodations that can be made for them that may help them still be successful in preschool.

In conclusion, there are several indicators that your child is ready for the demands of preschool, most of them being emotional and physical rather than academic or social. This list is not all-inclusive, and there may be other factors you are concerned about. Feel free to reach out to me with further questions at ccox@littledragonspreschool.com.