Most preschools will start accepting children at around age 2 1/2, but that doesn't mean your child
is magically ready for preschool when he reaches that age. Readiness for preschool has more to
do with where your child is developmentally. Is he socially, emotionally, physically, and cognitively
ready to participate in a daily, structured, educational program with a group of other children?

Though it's tempting to look for a quick answer to this question, to read a list of skills for instance,
and say, "Yes my child can do these things, he's ready," that method isn't foolproof. The best way
to decide is to spend time thinking about your child and to talk to other people who know him well,
such as your partner, your pediatrician, and your child's caregiver. The following questions
provided by Patricia Henderson Shimm, director of the Barnard College Center for Toddler
Development in New York and co-author of Parenting Your Toddler, will help you think about the
most important factors for preschool readiness.

Is your child fairly independent?

Preschool requires children to have certain basic skills; most will want your child to be potty-
trained, for instance. Your child should also be able to take care of some other basic needs, like
washing his hands after painting, eating his snack without assistance, etc.

Has he spent time away from you?

If your child has been cared for by a babysitter or a relative, he'll be better prepared to separate
from you when he's at preschool. Kids who are used to being apart from their parents often
bounce right into preschool with hardly a backward glance. If your child hasn't had many
opportunities to be away from you, you might want to schedule some — a weekend with
grandma, for instance, or a day with your sister and her kids. But even if you can't work out your
separation issues up front, don't worry too much; many children leave Mom or Dad for the first
time to go to preschool and they do just fine. The trick is to help your child adjust in short doses.
Many preschools will allow you to drop off your child for an hour or two during his first few days
there; as he gets more used to his environment, you gradually work up to a full day. Some experts
believe that preschool may even be more important for kids who've been at home with their
parents, to help get them ready for the move to kindergarten

Can he work on projects on his own?

Preschool usually involves lots of arts and crafts projects that require concentration and the ability
to focus on an individual task. If your child likes to draw at home or gets engrossed in puzzles and
other activities on his own, he's a good candidate for preschool. But even if he's the kind of child
who asks for help with everything, you can start getting him ready by setting up playtimes where
he can entertain himself for a half hour or so. While you wash the dishes, encourage him to make
creatures out of clay, for example. Gradually build up to longer stretches of solo play. Your goal
here is to keep yourself moderately preoccupied with an activity so that he'll get on with his own
without too much hand-holding from you.

Is he ready to participate in group activities?

Many preschool activities, like "circle time," require that all the children in a class participate at the
same time. These interactions give children a chance to play and learn together, but also require
them to sit still, listen to stories, and sing songs. This can be very difficult for kids under 3 who are
naturally active explorers and not always developmentally ready to play with other children. If your
child isn't used to group activities, you can start introducing them yourself. Take him to story time
at your local library, for instance, or sign him up for a class such as tumbling to help him get used
to playing with other children.

Is he used to keeping a regular schedule?

Preschools usually follow a predictable routine: circle time, play time, snack, playground, then
lunch. There's a good reason for this. Children tend to feel most comfortable and in control when
the same things happen at the same time each day. So if your child doesn't keep to a schedule
and each day is different from the last, it can help to standardize his days a bit before he starts
preschool. Start by offering meals on a regular timetable. You could also plan to visit the park
each afternoon or set — and stick to — a bedtime ritual (bath, then books, and bed).

Does he have the physical stamina for preschool?

Whether it's a half-day or full-day program, preschool keeps kids busy. There are art projects to
do, field trips to take, and playgrounds to explore. Does your child thrive on activities like this, or
does he have trouble moving from one thing to the next without getting cranky? Another thing to
consider is how and when your child needs to nap. Preschools usually schedule nap time after
lunch. If your little one can keep going until then or even all day like a wind-up toy, he's set. If he
still needs a mid-morning snooze, it might not be time yet to go to school. You can work toward
building his stamina by making sure he gets a good night's sleep. If you have some flexibility in
your schedule, you might also want to start him off in a half-day program to ease him into the
hustle and bustle of preschool life, and gradually increase the length of his school day as he gets
more comfortable.

Why do you want to send him to preschool?

Think carefully about what your goals are for sending your child to preschool. Do you just need
time for yourself or daycare for your child? There may be other options if it seems he isn't ready
yet for the rigors of school.

If you find that the main reasons you want to send your child to preschool are that he seems
eager to learn new things and explore, he isn't getting enough stimulation at home or daycare, or
he seems ready to broaden his social horizons and interact with other children, chances are it's
the perfect time to start school.
Is My Child Ready for Preschool?