| Parents often want to enroll their child in a | | | | moment because he was learning to cope with |
| preschool program to give them the opportunity | | | | the need to share. |
| to become familiar with groups of children and to | | | | 2. Preschool can be a vicious and savage place. |
| help them become familiar with school routines. | | | | Civilization may appear to be tossed out the |
| Those children who have had this opportunity | | | | window. When children are learning to use muscles |
| often make the transition to a kindergarten | | | | to speak, have a limited vocabulary, or have an |
| program with ease. Those who have not may | | | | excitable personality they sometimes resort to |
| experience difficulties. | | | | what I refer to as the "Short-Cut Resolution Plan." |
| As a parent and as a teacher we need to keep in | | | | Stated simply, a nip on the arm here, a pinch on |
| mind some very valid points about preschool. | | | | the cheek there, or a bop on the head is likely to |
| These considerations are so common place that | | | | (temporarily) get you what you want. The jury is |
| even professionals forget to mention them to | | | | still out as to who is the most frightened over |
| parents interested in enrolling their child in a | | | | this behavior. First the aggressor can be shocked |
| program. | | | | over his loss of self-control. The victim is shocked, |
| 1. Remember that preschool is not all fun. What | | | | may be physical or emotionally hurt, and doesn't |
| may look like a beautiful setting filled with brightly | | | | know how to respond. Teachers too can be |
| colored toys may not appear the same to your | | | | stunned for this type of behavior may come |
| child. For every sought after toy there is | | | | from someone who previously has never been |
| someone out there who also wants it. Children | | | | known to resort to such tactics. And of course, |
| can be tough customers and they are usually not | | | | sending a child home with a bite mark does not |
| willing to give their treasures away easily. Even | | | | make parents pleased. |
| when offered a duplicate toy, what an adult may | | | | 3. Preschools are a hotbed of germs. Why? |
| think is the exact toy, it is more than likely the | | | | Because small children are just learning about |
| child will have found some slight difference that | | | | health habits. Even when they know what to do |
| remains unnoticed by the supervising adult. | | | | when they sneeze or have a runny nose they |
| Sharing does not come free. Learning to share | | | | often forget. They are busy playing. |
| comes with a price tag...sometimes with tears, | | | | Since children receive their immunizations at |
| bites, scratches, pouting, screaming, or any | | | | different ages, there will always be children who |
| variation and combination of the aforementioned | | | | have not received their complete immunization |
| coping techniques. | | | | until age two. There are also children who opt out |
| One haggard looking parent told me she was | | | | of immunization and these children can be in |
| under such pressure to get her child to nursery | | | | classes of all ages. |
| school very early. From the moment he awoke | | | | For parents who are considering a preschool |
| he wanted to get out of the house and get to | | | | program it is often comforting to know that |
| school. When I told this mother she had more | | | | children experience their own stress in a preschool |
| than enough time and that even an occasional | | | | program. Learning how to live in a group of |
| tardiness was not something to be concerned | | | | children your own age, follow rules, share toys |
| about, she responded, "Oh, no, you don't | | | | and attention, focus on an academic project, |
| understand. My son knows they all go into the big | | | | takes time. Armed with the knowledge that it is |
| playroom the first thing in the morning. And if he | | | | normal for children to experience this anxiety a |
| doesn't get here early to get his special tricycle | | | | parent and school staff can seek ways to help a |
| his day is absolutely ruined. No other tricycle will | | | | child cope. |
| do." Preschool was not fun for that child at that | | | | |