Use the summer months to prepare for prekindergarten

THE WOODLANDS, Texas – Heading to preschool can be a scary endeavor for a young child – and parents may be equally anxious about the change.

Kim Bellini, director of The Woodlands LearningRx, said there are a number of ways to help children and parents prepare for this new adventure.

“For many children and parents, preschool is the first time they are separated from each other for an extended period,” she said. “From practicing your goodbyes to building phonemic awareness, you can spend the summer boosting your child’s confidence and preparing him or her for success in the fall.”

Here are some of Bellini’s tips for preparing for the transition:

Visit a preschool – even if it’s not the one your child will be attending.
“If you have an opportunity to meet your child’s teacher, see the classroom and visit the playground, take it,” Bellini said. “While you’re there, take some photos. Then during the summer, remind your child of all the fun features and how there will be more in store in the classroom next year.”

If a visit to your child’s specific preschool is not possible, Bellini suggests visiting another preschool, elementary school or daycare. “Tell your child about school in general,” she said. “And let them talk to other preschool students or kindergarteners about their experiences.”

Play pretend preschool at home.
Imaginary playtime is a good way to help children understand what to expect when they are in school, Bellini said. She added that by playing classroom teacher, parents can help strengthen their child’s listening skills.

“Practicing at home should reduce the anxiety on the first day of school,” Bellini said. “Start with their arrival and have them hang up their coat and find their art supplies. You might try staging a music session, snack time, reading time and even recess.”

Work on your child’s attention and memory skills.
Attention skills will be tested in a busy, loud classroom. Bellini said the best way to give children a leg-up is to provide tasks that strengthen their attention skills – working on puzzles, or naming colors while they jump on a trampoline.

“Spend time playing games that build memory skills,” Bellini said. “For example, playing Simon Says is a good way to prepare children to follow a teacher’s instructions.”

Enroll children in a summer class.
Dance, gymnastics, art or soccer will help provide opportunities to interact with other children and to follow an adult’s directions.

Practice saying “goodbye.”
Bellini explained that kids pick up on their parents’ emotions, even if there aren’t any tears present.

“Don’t drag out the goodbye,” she advised. “Sometimes this takes practice. It may help to make a fun handshake or rhyme that you can say together each time you drop them off.”

Helping children prepare for and succeed in school is among the goals of The Woodlands LearningRx.

Located at 10857 Kuykendahl Road. Ste. 240, The Woodlands LearningRx transforms the ability to learn at a core, cognitive level. To learn more, call 832-482-3082 or visit learningrx.com/the-woodlands or woodlandsenespanol.com/directorios/perfil/learningrx-the-woodlands.