Starting preschool is a major milestone for young children. However, like any switch to a new environment, they will have different expectations placed on them. As a parent, there are ways you can help with this transition. Kids don’t have to come in knowing how to read and write quite yet, but there are a few skills and pieces of information they should have down. Here’s what to teach your young one before their first day of pre-K.

What Your Child Should Know Before Preschool

1. Basic Personal Information

For safety and identification reasons, children should have basic information about themselves memorized. Ensure they know their full name, parents’ names, phone numbers, and home address. At the same time, you should teach them to only give personal information to trusted adults, like their teachers.

2. Potty Training & Hygiene

Depending on the preschool your child is attending, they may need to be fully toilet trained. Ask about your center’s policies on independent restroom use. Your child should also have an understanding of personal hygiene, such as hand washing and covering their coughs or sneezes.

3. Number & Letter Recognition

It’s a good idea to expose your child to reading, writing, and numbers from an early age. Their teachers won’t expect them to start writing right off the bat, but they need to demonstrate readiness to learn. Children should have basic letter, number, and color recognition skills prior to entering preschool programs.

4. Communication Skills

Spending time in a new environment surrounded by strangers can be uncomfortable at any age, but preschool children, in particular, have limited social experience with people outside of their family. Quickly making friends and getting to know their teachers will make their first year much easier. Teach your child how to share, cooperate, and communicate effectively with others.

5. A Little Bit of Independence

For many children, preschool will be the first time they spend several hours away from their parents. Try to prepare your young one by leaving them in the care of trusted adults such as grandparents, neighbors, and friends for a few hours at a time. When they’re accustomed to being away from you, they’re less likely to act out at the beginning of preschool.

When your child is ready to begin preschool, enroll them in a program focused on their growth and creativity. Merry Manor School Of Childhood, based in Lancaster County, NE, provides children with an enriching curriculum that prepares them for academic, social, and emotional success. Their staff is committed to giving every child the individual attention they need to thrive. To get in touch with this preschool and daycare center, call (402) 466-2215. You can also learn more about their services online.