10 Essential Tips for Parents Preparing Kids for Preschool

Getting Ready for Preschool: 10 Tips for London Parents

Hello amazing parents in London and Beckenham! Is your little one about to start preschool? That’s super exciting! At Kia Mena Montessori, we believe preschool is a big step in your child’s journey. It’s where kids make new friends, learn fun things, and grow every day. As a parent, you can help make this time smooth and happy. Here are 10 easy tips to get your child ready for preschool.

1. Create a Morning Routine

A good routine helps your child feel calm and happy each day. Try doing things the same way every morning and night.

• Wake up at the same time every day.
• Brush teeth, wash up, and get dressed after waking up.
• Start bedtime a little earlier if needed, so your child gets enough sleep.

Having a routine makes kids feel safe and ready for preschool!

2. Help Your Child Be More Independent

Preschoolers do better when they learn to do small things on their own. Let them try:

• Getting dressed by themselves (even if their clothes don’t match!).
• Choosing between two things, like an apple or banana.
• Washing hands or cleaning up toys.

These small tasks build confidence and pride.

3. Practice Social Skills

Making friends is a big part of preschool. Help your child learn how to get along with others by:

• Having playdates with other kids.
• Playing games that teach sharing and taking turns.
• Letting them spend short times away from you to get used to being apart.

Social skills help your child feel more at ease with other kids.

4. Talk and Read Every Day

Talking and listening helps build strong language skills. You can:

• Tell stories and ask your child to tell theirs too.
• Read books together and point out new words.
• Play word games like “I Spy” to make learning fun.

If you want more ideas, check out Reading Rockets.

5. Talk About Feelings

Preschool is full of big feelings. Help your child understand their emotions:

• Use a feelings chart with faces to show happy, sad, or angry feelings.
• Teach calming tricks like counting or deep breathing.
• Let them draw how they feel when they’re upset.

Learn more ideas about teaching emotions at CASEL.

6. Visit the Preschool

Help your child feel excited instead of nervous by getting familiar with the new place:

• Plan a visit to Kia Mena Montessori.
• Pretend play preschool at home—like eating lunch or circle time.
• Read books about going to preschool together.

Knowing what to expect can calm first-day nerves!

7. Discover the Montessori Way

The Montessori method encourages kids to explore and learn with hands-on play. You can:

• Let your child pick what to play with sometimes.
• Use everyday items for learning, like pouring rice or sorting buttons.
• Encourage curiosity by asking questions and exploring together.

You can learn more about Montessori education online.

8. Take Care of Health and Nutrition

A healthy child is ready to learn and play! Make sure to:

• Keep up with doctor check-ups and shots.
• Offer meals with fruits, vegetables, and grains.
• Practice good habits like washing hands often.

Explore more health tips at NHS.

9. Teach Safety Rules

Show your child how to stay safe at school and beyond.

• Practice crossing roads safely together.
• Talk about stranger safety in simple ways.
• Go over where to find help if they need it.

These skills build confidence and safety smarts!

10. Stay Positive!

Your attitude can shape how your child feels about preschool. Keep things happy and hopeful by:

• Cheering them on when they try new things.
• Being patient when things go wrong (like backward shoes!).
• Answering their questions—even the silly ones!

A smile and kind words go a long way to build excitement.

Let the Adventure Begin!

You’re doing great, parents! Starting preschool is a big moment for your child—and for you too. With these tips, you’ll help your little one feel ready and excited to begin learning at Kia Mena Montessori. Every step is part of a big adventure, so enjoy it together!

Want More Help?

We’d love to hear your thoughts or tips too! Join our lovely group of London parents who care about learning and fun. You can subscribe to Kia Mena Montessori to get updates and helpful ideas for your preschooler. Let’s make preschool a joyful journey!