11 Questions You Should Be Asking Before You Decide If Your Child Is Ready For Preschool
Is your child's growth on track?
Published for PediaSure, 20 Nov 2017, 09:50 AM
Most preschools in Malaysia accept children starting from the age of two to three. But that doesn't mean every child is ready to go once they reach that age.
Kids hit milestones at different ages, and readiness for preschool is no different! As parents, it's important to view your little one as an individual and see where they are developmentally.
In order to be ready for preschool, your child should be socially, emotionally, and physically ready to be part of a structured program with their peers every day.
An important factor that needs special attention is their nutrition. Healthy eating plays a vital role to your child's overall well-being, especially when they're starting school.
Complete nutrition helps them achieve optimal mental and physical growth. This is important so your child remains active and participates in class.
If you find your child is a picky eater or behind in their growth, introduce PediaSure to fill that gap, catch up on growth, and get ready for school! Get a free sample here :)
8 WEEKS BEFORE THE START OF PRESCHOOL
1. Is your child's growth on track?
Find out if your child's growth is on track before preschool begins. Not sure how? Get started with this helpful Growth Wheel-For-Age tracker to see where your child is physically. If you have any concerns, consult your pediatrician or speak to a PediaSure nutritionist at 1800 88 6233.
2. Are they warmed up to a new routine?
Change can be hard for little ones. Get them warmed up by bringing them to the preschool in advance so they can see the other children, the classrooms, and the teachers. Get them used to sleeping on time so waking up in the morning is easier.
3. Do they have basic personal care skills?
Ideally, your child should be potty-trained before joining preschool. Be sure to show them how to properly use a toilet, clean themselves, and wash their hands. Your child should be able to feed and dress themselves too!
Like these clever little girls!
4. Does the preschool know about your child's medical needs, if any?
If your child has medical needs or allergies, be sure to inform the school in advance to avoid any confusion and stress for your little one.
2 WEEKS BEFORE THE START OF PRESCHOOL
5. Have you labelled everything?
To avoid any mix-ups at preschool, label your child's belongings with their name. We also advise adding a tag on their backpacks that include your name, phone number, and home address just in case.
6. Have you explained what's going to happen?
Children are naturally inquisitive and your little one likely has a lot of questions about preschool, and perhaps some reservations and fears too. Address their concerns and be supportive to boost their confidence.
7. Have you chosen your child's outfit?
If the preschool doesn't require wearing a uniform, it's advisable to pick out your child's outfit in advance. This will help lessen the stress of getting ready on the morning of the first day. If there is a school uniform, make sure your child is comfortable wearing it. Give lots of compliments and make them feel good about themselves.
8. Is your child sticking to the new routine?
Young children thrive on routine. Be sure to keep their bedtime at a set time every evening, and don't let them sweet talk you into extending it! It's important to their health that they sleep early, get a full night's rest, and wake up energised the next morning.
THE MORNING OF THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
9. Have you set your alarm to wake up bright and early?
Avoid rushing to get ready in the morning. You could forget something important or worse, you could stress out your child :( Be sure you both wake up early after a good night's sleep!
Don't be like this little girl...
10. What's for breakfast?
Get in some family bonding time before your child goes to preschool by having breakfast together. Prepare a nutritious meal for them to promote a better immune system and reduce bouts of cold and flu. Make it special for their first day!
11. Have you packed their lunch?
If your child is bringing a packed lunch, be sure to give them nutritious, wholesome food that will sustain their energy throughout the day.
Here are some healthy options for your child:
- For dairy - yoghurt, cheese, milk
- For carbs - cereal, bread, pasta
- For protein - beans, peanuts, lean meats
- For fibre - bright coloured fruit and vegetables
Answered all the questions? Looks like your little one is ready for preschool!
Preschool is a big step for small kids! It's up to us parents to make sure our kids are ready.
While there are a number of different things to consider with each unique kid, one thing that remains the same is the fact that every child needs proper nutrition. Of course, it's easier said than done. Especially if you have a picky eater!
Watch the video below to find out what challenges your child may face without optimal growth during preschool:
Formulated with Sure3 System, PediaSure Complete formula provides complete nutrition for children aged 1 - 10 years to help catch up on growth. This is especially important for picky eaters who:
- Accept/eat only a few types of food
- Eat few fruits and vegetables
- Refuse to try new fruits
- Prolong meal times
With PediaSure, you can help your picky eater close nutritional gaps:
- Reduce the number of sick days by 64% in 16 weeks
Get a free sample from PediaSure to try it yourself!
Complete nutrition is the key to supporting your child's optimal growth. Give them the right nutritional foundation for the best experience in school with PediaSure. Get a free sample here!
