As a family medicine resident doctor specializing in child development, I’ve seen how important early school success is for a child’s well-being, self-esteem, motivation and future achievements. The preschool years are a time of tremendous growth, filled with excitement and new challenges. With summer upon us, it’s the perfect time to help your little one get ready for the big step into preschool. Let’s talk about how to make the transition smooth and enjoyable for both you and your child.
Is my child developmentally ready to start school?
Every child can learn. While most children meet expected developmental milestones, each child is unique and different kids learn… differently! For instance, most kids between the ages 3- to 5-year-olds can learn to recognize letters of the alphabet, rhyme, follow simple instructions and activities for short periods of time, and use fine motor skills (like holding a pencil or crayon to trace an outline).
Check in with your family doctor or pediatrician to find out if your child may have any potential developmental delay or other health factors that may cause a roadblock. There are many early intervention programs to help children, such as Head Start. You can also talk with your child’s school about resources. Addressing concerns early on will help set up your child for success.
Non scholae sed vitae
“We do not learn for school, but for life.” While preschool begins a child’s academic journey, learning is a lifelong process… and it begins in the home. Whether it be mom, dad, a grandparent or another loving guardian, a young toddler’s influencers at home are their primary teachers who set them up for the most success.
Kids are imaginative and learn the best through play and engagement. Here are some great examples of ways to help young kids learn at home and get them ready for preschool:
- Get them used to routine and structure, as they will experience a daily schedule at preschool. Pick a scheduled time for learning, such as after breakfast, followed by story time, play time or another activity time.
- Read with your child to make it fun, build vocabulary, and help develop their brain’s frontal cortex.
- Use pretend play to model what school will be like. You can take turns playing the role of child, parent and teacher.
- Tell stories about and read books about preschool.
- Make smart use of screens and educational media. There are plenty of apps geared toward preparing kids for preschool as well as fun interactive learning. See this blog by Prevea Family Medicine Physician, Dr. Lalonde, about healthy ways to approach screen time: https://greenbayareamom.com/parenting-wisdom/screen-time-for-kids/.
From holding your hand to stepping into their own adventure
For many kids, this will be their first experience alone for a prolonged time in a structured environment. While normal for it to be an emotional or teary farewell for both you and your preschooler, it is an essential skill for your child to begin developing with others. There are ways to help ease the transition.
- You may visit the school to help your child become familiar with the environment and maybe even meet and play with other kids.
- Help them pick out their own backpack and snack to provide a sense of ownership of their big day.
- Let him or her bring a special toy or comfort object.
- Plan to spend a few extra minutes when you drop your child off to help ease any discomfort. You may also consider sitting in the room but from a distance, so that they associate the new experience with safety.
- Anticipate that your little trooper may be sad or cry as you say goodbye. Establish trust by being direct and saying goodbye (instead of trying sneak away without them seeing you leave), giving a kiss or hug, and most importantly, promising to return for pickup.
It takes a community to raise a child
Perhaps more importantly than teaching knowledge, school fosters social skills and development. Greater socioemotional functioning, such as being able to form relationships with others, following rules and good behavior, is associated with better academic performance than genetics or inherent intelligence (i.e. naturally “being smart”). Some of the most common obstacles between learner and teacher involves poor or “undesirable” behaviors such as frequent not listening or acting out. Good discipline will go a long way as a child’s behavior in school can make a difference.
In addition to engaging with siblings and other neighborhood children, or children at a nearby park for instance, you can help nurture your child’s social and emotional skills for in-person learning through a variety of community resources, events and activities. Summertime is often filled with many opportunities for structured and fun local summer programs such as:
- Organizations like YMCA or Boys and Girls Club
- Programs through the public library
- Bible camp or other summer camps
- Sport activities through the YMCA, area parks and recreation departments, or others
For more information from the American Academy of Pediatrics regarding preparing for preschool, please visit https://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/work-and-child-care/Pages/preparing-your-child-for-child-care.aspx. Have a fantastic summer!
Patrick Buranicz, DO, is a Family Medicine Resident Physician with Prevea Health in Green Bay. If you’re looking for a new doctor, we have family medicine resident physicians, like Dr. Buranicz, who are accepting new patients at the Prevea Shawano Avenue Health Center – we’d be happy to help and look forward to caring for you and your children.
