Is your child nearing preschool age? Then it might be time to start considering whether to enroll them. But how do you know if they’re ready? Every child develops at their own pace, and while much of determining if your child is ready for preschool is based on their age, there are other factors to consider as well. Here’s how to determine if your child is ready for preschool:

Level of Independence

While no small children are fully independent, there are a few tasks they may be able to complete on their own. These tasks include self-care like using the bathroom, washing their hands and getting dressed on their own. While preschool teachers will be there to offer some assistance, if your child can do these tasks mostly on their own, it’s a good sign that they’re ready for preschool.

If your child is more independent, they may also be less attached to you. It’s common for small children to have some level of separation anxiety when they first begin preschool, but if your child is okay being away from you for prolonged periods without experiencing high levels of stress, then they’re likely ready to start preschool.

Communication Abilities

As children develop, their communication skills develop along with them. Consider how well your child can communicate their needs or follow instructions. Do they understand when you ask them to pick up their toys or when you tell them that it’s time to start another activity? Throughout the day in preschool, your child will have instructions to follow and many transitions between activities. While preschool is designed to help your child develop their skills, having basic communication skills can help them understand what’s going on around them.

Interaction With Other Children

One of the most beneficial aspects of preschool is socialization. When determining if your child is ready for preschool, consider how they interact with other children. This could be children they know, like family members and friends, or don’t know, like children they meet at the park or another public place. Ask yourself questions like:

• Do they enjoy playing with other children?
• Do they get along well with other children?
• Can they work in a group environment with other children?

These questions will help you determine if your child is ready for the highly social and group environment that is preschool.

Cognitive Skills

A child’s cognitive skills involve their ability to keep their attention focused on one activity for a period of time and to engage in basic problem-solving. While it’s completely normal for young children to get distracted and need some help redirecting their attention, consider how well your child can focus on the task at hand. Are they constantly distracted or showing no interest in completing tasks? Or are they able to focus on an activity until it’s complete with minimal distractions?

This is also the time to consider how well they solve problems or how they handle challenges when they arise. Do they take time to try to figure it out, or do they become easily frustrated? If your child is showing an interest in solving problems and overcoming obstacles on their own, this is a good sign that they’re ready for preschool.

Emotional Regulation

Children continuously develop their emotional regulation well into their teenage years. It’s a normal part of their development. Of course, you shouldn’t expect your child to be perfectly emotionally balanced, but there are certain signs that they can regulate themselves. Think about how well they deal with disappointment or frustration. How long do they stay in a certain emotion, and how intensely do they feel it? Are they able to adapt well to new situations or environments? These are all factors to consider when determining if they’re emotionally ready for a big transition like preschool.

Now that you know some of the signs that your child is ready for preschool, it’s time to get them enrolled! Lake Forrest Prep’s preschool program welcomes children as young as six weeks old. With age-appropriate activities to stimulate language, cognitive and social skills, Lake Forrest Prep’s preschool provides a strong foundation to prepare children for kindergarten. Learn more by visiting our website or contacting us online.