As our kids climbed the platforms of the jungle gym and tossed mulch around, my friend and I talked about preschool starting in a few weeks. “His little body is the size of a backpack. How can he carry one?” I cried. She said, “Well, we’re getting ready. Nathan knows his colors and can write his numbers up to 10.” I immediately felt pressure to cram in a study session with my 3-year-old as if we were two college students pulling an all-nighter.
Later, my mom reminded me kids don’t need to enter preschool knowing their numbers and letters. But there are things they should do before starting school that will help them adjust both socially and physically. You don’t need to cram, but definitely take some time for these 7 summer activities for toddlers to prepare them for preschool.
Summer Activities for Toddlers to Help With Emotional Readiness
1. Play quick-to-obey games.
If you’ve ever sat in on a preschool classroom, you know that obedience and following instructions are two of the biggies that teachers work on. Without order, some kids would be crying, others would be licking glue sticks, and that one kid would definitely be letting the class bunny out of its cage.
A child ready for preschool should be able to hear instruction and respond in a reasonable amount of time, so practice over the summer by saying things like, “Let’s see how quickly you can sit criss-crossed on the rug. Can you do it before I count to five?”
2. Let her use her backpack.
Buy a backpack before summer’s over and help your child build positive associations with it. Let her put books and a snack in it for trips to the park. When you get home, practice unpacking it and hanging it on its hook. You can even talk to it saying, “Thanks for helping us today, backpack! See ya tomorrow!”
3. Play pretend preschool.
I watched my son line up his stuffed animals and play school. It was adorable but also educational—for me. I heard him say, “You don’t have to worry about your mom being late, Mr. Bear. She won’t forget to pick you up.” Playing pretend school with your child or listening in while he plays with a sibling or stuffed toys is a fun way to teach what school is like and work out any jitters.
4. Practice goodbyes.
If you’re with your kiddo 24/7 and the first time you have to wave goodbye is on the day she starts preschool, expect tears from both of you. Ask a friend to watch your child for an hour while you run an errand. Treat it like it’s a school drop-off day. Walk your child into the house and give hugs and kisses, but don’t hang out and chat with your friend while the kids start playing. Your child needs to know you actually leave.
You could even come up with a secret handshake or a fun exchange that becomes a reminder that she’s let you go before, and you’ve always come back. “Later little gator!” “Later big gator!”
Summer Activities for Toddlers to Help With Physical Readiness
5. Play lunch leader.
“Please stop sending the yellow container. Graham cannot open it.” I got that note in my son’s folder one Friday and cringed. Oops. I should’ve had him practice flipping that little lid off. In the weeks leading up to preschool, have your child take the lead at home during lunchtime. Let him open Ziploc bags, poke a straw into a juice box, and pry open a bag of chips.
Expect him to struggle. Those straws are tricky! He doesn’t have to be perfect, but rehearsing these tasks will give him more confidence when he’s at school where the teacher can only help one or two kids at a time.
6. Connect the dots.
It’s a simple task that reaps huge benefits. Twinkl, a leader in educational resources, explains dot-to-dot activities help with concentration, pre-reading, and motor skills. It’s a three-in-one activity. As your child connects the dots and creates a complete picture, he’ll gain a sense of achievement. “You turned those dots into a penguin! Way to go!”
7. Make time for tongs!
Adults take for granted that they can pinch and grip, but it’s a skill our kids have to develop. There’s a lot of crayon and glue stick gripping in preschool, so practice with tongs over the summer. Put a pile of items in a basket, hand your child a pair of tongs, and say, “Pick up something green.” He’ll build dexterity and muscle control and learn his colors.
What other fun activities have you done to help your child get prepped for preschool?
