Pre-school ready?

csavery

I have a LO who has been in a home daycare since 3 months(he's 2 years 4 months), for a short time he was in a center one day a week and the home daycare the other 4.  We've been flip flopping on whether we are going to send him to the local pre-school we'ver heard nothing but great things about two days a week.  I think he could really benefit from the social interaction and more structure.  The plan is to send him full time next year.  How do we know if he's ready?  Any tips?

jlw2505

I honestly don't think there is anything to look for you - you just do it.  At that age, kids are just learning all those social skills and the only way they learn is by doing.  You are not looking for educational milestones, preschool is all about the social interaction with some learning on the educational side tossed in.  Even a child who has never been away from mom/dad and is super clingy is going to learn and excel in the right preschool if given the chance.

jsugrin

I think it depends on how structured the school is.  Can he sit and listen to a couple stories or does he get up and wander around halfway through one?  Can he follow simple directions, not just understand them but will he comply most of the time? Does he enjoy participating in thing with you, like helping make his meals or snacks.  I think as long as he's got a reasonable amount of focus that he'll be fine but if he can't really sit still  at all  he might be better off in daycare for a bit longer.

n&bcarlson

The only things they really looked for in my DD's preK3 class was could they potty and dress mostly unassisted and understand and answer some really simple questions (what is your name, do you have any dogs or cats at home, etc.).  Other than that, if he can focus on a task like arts or crafts for about 15 minutes, and sit (relatively) still for story time of about the same length, he'll do great.