5 Things Toddlers Should Know Before Preschool

As your toddler approaches the time to enter preschool, it's natural to ask yourself if he's fully prepared for it. Just a few decades ago, kindergarten was where children went before "real" school and preschool was considered entirely optional. In today's world, though, kids need to be academically prepared before even entering preschool-- and especially before heading off to kindergarten. If you're preparing for your toddler to enter preschool at three to four years of age, here are some things that you should make sure he can do.

1. Your toddler should be able to give his name and age. By two to three years old, most toddlers are able to answer simple questions like "What's your name?" and "How old are you?" Ideally, your toddler should know both his first and last name before entering preschool. It will make social transitions into preschool much smoother for everyone.

2. Toddlers should be fully potty-trained before preschool. It's not unusual for kids to still have occasional accidents at three or four, but most preschools will require that your child be fully potty trained before being admitted to preschool. Your preschooler should not only be able to use the potty, but also be able to pull his pants up and down and wipe himself without assistance.

3. Preschool-age toddlers should be able to speak clearly and correctly. Before your toddler is truly ready for preschool, he should understand the basic rules of grammar and communication. He won't need to be able to give a seminar, but he should be capable of speaking in full, coherent sentences and be understood by adults who do not know him. Your child's preschool may not be able to admit her if she can't speak correctly.

4. Your toddler should be emotionally and socially independent enough for preschool. Preschool teachers are prepared to deal with some degree of emotional disturbance, especially during the first few weeks of school. However, if your toddler still screams every time you're out of his sight or has tantrums on a daily basis, he may not be ready for preschool and may be a distubrance to the class. Your toddler should be past this stage before attending a full-day preschool.

5. Toddlers should be able to follow directions before starting school. It's completely normal for preschool-age children to disobey and ignore adults from time to time, but your toddler should be socially and mentally able to follow simple directions like "get the crayon" and "sit down" before he enters preschool. He is unlikely to excel in school if he consistently ignores or fails to understand commands from adults.

If your child isn't yet prepared for preschool, you have several options. One is to seek help from your local early intervention (EI) organization to treat developmental delays. Another is to enroll your child in daycare or a home school co-op to develop these skills, or to regularly attend story-times at your local library. Half-day preschool programs are also an option, especially for kids whose only delays are social and emotional. Get in touch with your pediatrician for advice and treatment options if you believe your toddler is coping with a developmental delay.