The covid pandemic had a large impact on children's early learning experiences, leading to concern about those born during the pandemic entering preschool. Studies seem to agree that these children are less prepared than children of the same age who entered preschool in the past, however they differ on the cause. Was it too little socialization or too much screen time? Not enough skill-building with parents who were just trying to keep the household running while working from home? The effects of long covid quarantines? 

Whatever the reasons may be, we have to address the end result and recognize that preparing for preschool might look a bit different than before. Kids may benefit from extra support at home to develop the social, academic and language skills they need for a successful start to school. Keep reading for some of our occupational therapists’ suggestions.

Build Social Skills

Play Dates

Getting your child ready to interact with others is a big step, especially if they haven’t had many recent chances to socialize.  You can start by organizing a playdate with one child, and build up to playdates with a few children at a time, to help your child get comfortable with it. If your child is going to someone else’s house, allow them to bring a favorite object for comfort. Consider sensory tools such as a weighted vest or wearable chewy to decrease the anxiety of a new situation. You can also have fun by role-playing common preschool situations, like snack time or storytime, so your child can practice social cues and greetings in a familiar setting. 

Pre-Math Skills

Begin teaching an understanding of numbers and shapes through hands-on play. Use everyday objects for counting and sorting. Hide the pieces inside Discovery Putty™ and ask your child to find and count them all. Lay out Numbered Spot Markers so that your child can match the correct number and color. The Busy Fingers™ Tangram is a tactile and visual way to learn shapes and basic geometry skills. 

Fine Motor Skills

Fine motor skills are important too, so encourage your child to draw, write and use safety scissors for practice. The Light Up Writing Board promotes creativity while requiring kids to write at a different angle, which further strengthens their hands and fingers. Use sensory bins for tactile exploration and fine motor skill development. 

Pre-Writing Skills

While a child entering preschool should not be expected to write their name, it is important for them to develop proper pencil grasp and letter recognition skills. There are a variety of writing tools to promote these skills, from pencil grips to tactile letters. The Prewriting Gel Pad helps kids learn to hold a pencil while tracing. Create letters and shapes out of putty for added tactile stimulation. (Read more about why handwriting still matters.)

Enhance Language Development

Talking and Listening

Support your child’s language development by engaging in regular conversations using clear and simple language. Listen to your child’s responses and encourage them to express their thoughts and feelings. Singing nursery rhymes and simple songs together can improve phonemic awareness. Adding movements or rhythm instruments can make it even more engaging.

Storytelling

Stories are a great way to captivate attention and promote language development. Prompt your child to create their own stories using visual aids or storyboards to further engage them. Work on descriptive language, action words and articulation.

Foster Self-Regulation

Emotional Regulation

Teachers are reporting an inability for preschoolers to deal with “big emotions” leading to aggressive behaviors. Teaching kids about these emotions and how to deal with them is a big part of preschool readiness. Use physical social emotional tools,likeEmotion Gel Tiles,to aid children in identifying how they feel.Mirrors are a great way to practice imitating facial expressions and recognizing the emotion behind it. Discuss appropriate ways to respond to big emotions in various situations.

Mindfulness

Teach your child mindfulness techniquesto manage their emotions and behaviors, such as deep breathing exercises, counting to ten or using a quiet corner when they need to calm down. Experiment at home to identifycalming tools that help your child in stressful situations. Build sensory breaks into the schedule to further support your child in developing these important regulation skills.

Create a Supportive Environment

Establish Routine

Consistent daily routines can provide a sense of stability and predictability, reducing sensory overwhelm. Include time for play, learning, meals and rest, and use visual schedules and timers to help your child know what to expect throughout the day. This will prepare them for the structure of a preschool day and ease their transition.

Calm Down Corner

Create a calming, sensory-friendly spacefor your child to retreat to when they need a sensory break. Access to sensory breaks throughout the day allows children to step back and manage their big emotions. Stock this space with sensory tools, weighted itemsand acomfortable seat.

Off they go!

Be sure to stay involved in your child’s learning process, offering plenty of encouragement and support. Keep in touch with preschool teachers to stay updated on your child’s progress and any additional needs they might have.

Preparing for preschool can be a big step, but with a little patience and creativity, you can help your child build a strong foundation for their new adventures. With your support, your child will be ready for all the exciting experiences that preschool has to offer.