What Should Pre-schoolers Know Before Starting School?

A study in 2021 shows that only 50% of the children are school-ready by the time they start school. School readiness greatly affects how the children cope with the lessons in school. The study also shows that limited school readiness impacts the whole classroom, there is time lost by students not being school-ready, and those that are less school-ready struggle to catch up with the rest of the class. 

The recent COVID crisis greatly affected the children’s readiness for school. The children who are often left at home are usually left in front of the computers and screens for hours while the parents work and do the chores. This factor slows down the children’s learning and greatly affects them later on when they enter preschool. 

But, these external challenges can only do so much. The main problem of children not being school-ready is always often because of home challenges. The lack of parental support and the assumption of parents that certain skills and lessons are taught in school hinders the child from being school-ready. 

If you’re a parent with a toddler who is about to start nursery, you might be wondering: 

What should I teach my toddlers? 

How do I ensure they are ready for school? 

What are the necessary skills that my toddler must learn? 

Five Things Pre Schoolers Should Know Before Starting School: 

1. The child should be able to Verbalize Wants and Needs

Before the child starts preschool, they should be able to ask questions to their teachers and parents, speak up for themselves, and be able to tell what they want or need to their peers and teachers. 

2. Child Should Know How To Handle A Book

It’s not necessary that the child should read at this stage. But, it is important for them to know how to handle a book. That is, they’ll be able to locate the cover, open the book, hold it in the right direction, and flip the pages. 

Some kids struggle to like books more than others. You can help them by getting them personalised storybooks that are proven to catch children’s attention better than general storybooks because they are more relatable. 

3. Get Themselves Dressed

preschoolers should also be able to dress for school (or atleast try to do so). They must be able to wear their own jacket and coats and be able to button their shirts and pants. If your child has not mastered shoelacing yet, there’s no need to panic. Practice them consistently and make sure you send them to school in Velcro shoes instead for the meantime! 

4. Be able to use Scissors, Glue, and Crayons

preschool has a lot of colouring, cutting, and pasting activities. So, it’s very important that your child learn these skills before they enter preschool. Moreover, getting them used to using school supplies will keep them excited in their activities in school! 

5. Should Be Able to Count From 0 to 10 

Children entering preschool should be able to count from 1 to 10 atleast. They should also be able to count a set of objects like a pack of 6 crayons or 4 pieces of cookies! 

The first day of preschool is such an exciting time for the little ones. For some kids, however, it can also be overwhelming especially if they are not equipped yet to enter school. Keep in mind the five Things preschoolers Should Know Before Starting School and reflect on them. 

Has my child learned all five? 

What skills does he/she lack? 

What can I do to help him/her?