Is Your Child Ready For Preschool?

 Most preschools will start accepting children at around age 2 ½, but that doesn’t mean your child is magically ready for preschool when he reaches that age. Readiness for preschool has more to do with where your child is developmentally. Is he socially, emotionally, physically, and cognitively ready to participate in a daily, structured, educational program with a group of other children?
Though it’s tempting to look for a quick answer to this question, to read a list of skills for instance, and say, “Yes my child can do these things, he’s ready,” that method isn’t foolproof. The best way to decide is to spend time thinking about your child and to talk to other people who know him well, such as your partner, your child’s doctor, and your child’s caregiver.
Preschool requires children to have certain basic skills. Your child should be able to take care of some basic needs, like washing his hands after painting, eating his lunch without assistance, and sleeping alone.
If your child has been cared for by a babysitter or a relative, he’ll be better prepared to separate from you when he’s at preschool. Kids who are used to being apart from their parents often bounce right into preschool with hardly a backward glance. If your child hasn’t had many opportunities to be away from you, you might want to schedule some – a weekend with grandma, for instance, or a day with your sister and her kids.
The trick is to help your child adjust in short doses. Many preschools will allow you to drop off your child for an hour or two during his first few days there. As your child gets used to his new environment, let him gradually work up to a full day.  At Town & Country Farm School, we have many options to fit your family.
Town and Country Farm School is located at 22040 Placeritos Blvd., in Newhall, and has been serving the Santa Clarita Valley for more than 42 years. We would be happy to schedule your tour, just give us a call at 661-255-2601.