If your little one is headed to Pre-K [1], your child is probably a ball of mixed emotions — excited and eager, but perhaps also a bit anxious and nervous [2] — and so are you. Your baby is growing up and that's why you should ensure your child is prepared for the new challenges [3] you are both about to face.
POPSUGAR consulted Miriam Dille, a Montessori preschool teacher from Roseville, CA, to find out exactly what a teacher thinks your children should know [4] before entering the wonderful world of Pre-K. Keep reading to find out the six most important skills you might want to start working on now.
Recognise Their Written Name
It is important for children to be able to recognise their name [6] and learn the letters in their name, because cubbies, school supplies, and materials are often labeled. Playing with alphabet toys [7] and story time [8] can help with this skill.
Have Experience With Cutting
Learning how to use scissors correctly helps little hands with fine motor skills [9], which will in turn help them with writing with a pencil and manipulating small objects. Luckily, there are a lot of videos on YouTube that can help you teach your kids how to use scissors [10]. Practicing this skill also assists children in their bilateral coordination, which is the ability to use both sides of the body while doing separate movements.
Manage Basic Social Skills
Interacting with other children is a huge part of Pre-K. Children should know the basics about how to behave with their peers [11]. Taking turns and waiting are two big skills you should practice [12], Dille says.
Be Able to Focus
There is a lot going on in Pre-K with many distractions, so it is important for children to learn how to focus [13] on the task at hand so they can learn new things. Dille recommends "slowly spooning objects from one bowl to another as an example of practical life activities that develop focus."
Have Self-Confidence
Children who have excellent self-confidence and self-esteem [14] do well in Pre-K, because they believe in themselves and are able to assert themselves when appropriate. Dille says it is important for children to "recognise, label, and validate emotions, using their words to get through them." Complimenting them, celebrating their small accomplishments, and letting them excel at an activity they love can all help with their self-worth.
Be Independent
Fostering independence in your child can empower them and help them better adapt to the new environment that Pre-K will be. Dille says that helping your child only when needed will boost their independence [15]. She adds that you should be aware of your child's zone of proximal development (ZPD), which is the difference between what a child can do independently and what they can do with help.