Preparations for preschool?

[ett]

I always thought that going to preschool was to prepare you for kindergarten and beyond. That it was to teach your DCs how to take turns, share, listen to the teacher, follow directions, interact with other kids, etc. Well, I was talking to DS's developmental specialist from Early Intervention, and she was saying how we should be working on sharing and taking turns in preparation for preschool in the fall. She also asked me if DS goes to any kind of structured activities.

Her questioned surprised me since I didn't know that I should be actively working on these things with DS right now. I thought the whole point of going to preschool was to learn these socialization skills. We have been teaching DS how to take turns, share, etc. and he does go to Sunday School and group at the EI center which are both structured classes.

So how did you prepare your DS to go to preschool? My mommy feeling is that DS will do just fine in preschool but talking to the developmental specialist has gotten me worried now.

[brittone2]

I know when I worked in EI the education teachers definitely worked in those skills with kids under 3, and we as PTs, or OTs or SLPs also do a little of it too. Turn-taking has a lot to do with the back and forth of spoken language and I think that is a reason why it is worked on quite a bit in EI.

I don't know your son but it can't hurt to introduce these concepts (which you have been doing already). Also depending on why the child is in EI, it may take them longer than other kids to get a grasp on sharing, etc. so the head start can be helpful. Also once they are in preschool, the teachers can't devote as much one-on-one or one-on-two time to those things as you might be able to do now.

I definitely don't think most kids enter preschool knowing all of this already, but depending on the reasons your child is in EI, etc. the EI specialist may just be trying to give him a little jump start to ease the transition/adjustment to preschool.

[SeekerMage]

I kinda agree with your specialist. By three they should have a basic concept of sharing and working together and taking turns. Maybe not have mastered it but atleast know there are some things that are ok to do and not. There are lots of videos like Barney etc that deal with sharing, and even playing games, and doing projects etc with your child will help deal with those issues. Like making cookies, let them mix, but then its mommys turn to mix etc. Im sure he will be fine once the time comes, especially if you have a good school. We started at a public preschool but after orientation quickly switched to a church preschool and could not have been happier. The teachers were so caring and a joy to work with. If you like the teachers and its a great envoirment then your child should adapt quickly. I know in my daughters class there was a boy who basically had no other experiences around other kids and he had a hard time sharing and working together etc. He quickly adapted but there definitely was a difference between him and the other kids. Im sure your child will be fine, you are aware and Im sure already working with him on certain issues. Hang in there mama....there is nothing to worry about!