Interview with a Preschool Director

1. How can parents know if their child is ready for preschool?

Depending on your child’s development, children are usually ready by the age of three. They don’t need to know much, but to be able to socialize and follow directions. Some preschools prefer they be potty trained.

2. What can parents do to help their child be successful at preschool this fall?

-Make sure that your child gets plenty of sleep every night, so that your child is awake and ready to learn.

-Give you and your child plenty of time in the morning to get ready and prepared for preschool, so you can show up relaxed and secure without having to rush.

-Tell your child that preschool is a fun place where he can play with his friends and learn new things.

-Encourage your child to talk about what she learned in preschool and show interest in any artwork or activity she brings home.

-Help your child when you separate with “good-bye” and a hug. Reassure her that you will be back soon. Please don’t linger any longer than it takes to say “good-bye” and give a hug. Your child’s teacher will help you if there is a separation problem.

-Encourage and help your child become more independent with toileting, dressing himself, and washing his hands, etc.

-Work with your child on the skills he will learn and use in preschool such as using scissors and writing. Read to your children frequently.

-Give your child simple responsibilities around the house. Feeding the dog, organizing a pantry shelf, or putting away her clean clothes are good examples

3. How can parents reinforce the lessons their children are learning at school?

Ask the teacher each month what they will be learning. Make worksheets up for your child so he not only gets practice at home, but has one on one time with Mommy or Daddy. This shows your child that Mommy and Daddy make school work and learning a priority. Please remember to make learning fun. These are the first years of their lives starting school and we want to have the children gain a positive perspective towards school for many years to come.

4. How do you make learning fun?

Make worksheets and have some kind of hands on learning activity with what your child is doing that month in school. For instance: Take alphabet flashcards and objects that start with that letter and have your child match them up (A-Apple, B-Ball, C- Cap, etc.). There are a lot of websites out there that have different activities for preschoolers.

5. What advice do you have for parents dropping off their children on the first day?

One month before school starts do a count down to the first day of preschool. Make it an exciting experience for your child. Most preschools have open house. It is very important that you attend so your child is familiar with her classroom on her first day.

I use the “Three Get Away Rules”:

1. Let your child know you are coming back.

2. Give 1 kiss and 1 hug.

3. Make sure a teacher is near by to take your child and walk away.

Will he cry? Probably

Will he cry for the next couple days when you drop him off at preschool?

Probably, sometimes it takes children about a month to get in the routine and understand that you are coming back and that they enjoy preschool.

The worse thing you can do is give in and continue to turn around and comfort your child. Remember your child will be occupied in two minutes once you leave the classroom. If you are still concerned after leaving, give it ten or fifteen minutes and then call the preschool and ask for a follow up on how your child is doing.

Remember teachers who work with children are qualified and experienced with crying children. Your child is not their first crying child. It is a bigger help that you leave as soon as possible so that they can comfort your child and distract him with a classroom activity or toy.

6. How can preschool parents help the teachers most?

It is a help when a parent is patient with the teachers when there are any miscommunications or errors on newsletters being sent home.

When a problem arises don’t assume that the teacher does not care about your child and her needs. Teachers will have about 10 or more children in their classroom and that means that there are 10 different families that they have to attend to.

If you have any questions or concerns, instead of letting them fester inside of you, set up an appointment with the teacher to clear the air and ask any questions you have.

If you have any questions that can wait until the end of the day, please wait. It is very hard for a teacher to talk one on one with a parent when children are coming into school. If it a serious matter, call the school 15 minutes before it starts so you can at least touch base with the teacher and set a time to sit down with her.

Teachers always need things for their classroom projects such as toilet paper roles, tissue boxes, shoe boxes, baby food jars, beads, string, yarn, coffee canisters, and decorations for different holidays. Ask what your teacher needs.

Some preschools will need your help to volunteer in classrooms with certain classroom parties or field trips.

A smile and a thank you at the end of the day help a teacher to feel appreciated.

A nice little card or something special for your child’s teacher at any time throughout the year really gives a teacher a warm and fuzzy feeling. It is a reassurance that they are making a difference in your child’s life and that they are appreciated.

Amy is the preschool director at her church's preschool. In a few weeks, she will be Sandra's son's preschool teacher. Pray for both of us!