Preschool Prep: 4 Essential Tips Every Parent Needs

Parents of little ones heading into preschool, listen up—master these and your kid will settle in way faster. The year before preschool is the most crucial one for your child, and these points I’m about to share today, you’ve gotta remember. First, teach your kid basic communication. They need to be able to say where it hurts, where it itches, or where something feels off, and tell the teacher. Like, "Teacher, I'm thirsty," "Teacher, I need to pee," "Teacher, so-and-so hit me." Those phrases are a must. Second, safety lessons need to happen early. Tell your child, don’t eat random stuff, toys don’t go in the mouth, and never stick anything into nose or eyes—those delicate spots. Watch where you’re walking, and absolutely never go off with a stranger. Third, what if they get bullied in preschool? How do you handle it? They’ve got to learn to speak up. If someone does something they don’t like, shout it out loud—"No, that’s not okay." Honestly, saying no is the first step against bullying, but they also need to know how to tattle. They should tell the teacher, "So-and-so hit me, and here’s where." And tell Mom and Dad at home too. If a kid deliberately messes with them, sometimes a little pushback is fine—self-defense is okay. Fourth, work on their self-care skills. At home, practice early—using a spoon to eat, putting on and taking off simple clothes and shoes. They should also tell the teacher, "I need to poop," "I need to pee," and get outside for more exercise to build up their strength. Getting outdoors more, boosting their immunity—that’s a big one. And remind them, if another kid has a cough or a fever, keep a bit of distance. Once they’re settled in that first preschool year, the years after are a breeze.