A few years back I was among the ones who thought schooling is unnecessary until age 5. I had thought the poor little sweet things should be allowed play, play and a lot of play until they engage in 12 years of continuous education. Guess I was wrong. Given the isolation caused by the nuclear families, children tend to want to break out the walls and doors of your 700 sqft 2 BHK house and ready to take on the world. So as a parent of a 2-year-old, I have reconsidered my obstinacy not to send my child to school until 5.
Signs that your child is ready for school:
1. Boredom. When your child is indifferent to the daily toys and picture books. That's when boredom sinks in. It may happen to you too.
2. When your child wants to socialize with the other children in the neighbourhood irrespective of the ages. That is when he/she releases the tight grasp on your hands in the presence of a neighbour.
3. When she bellows not to go home and keep running errands and riding in the car.
4. When she is done with a few rhymes, numbers and alphabets.
5. When she follows two or more instructions at a time.
6. When she carries out a job independently without your help.
7. Most important is that the child is potty trained.
2. When your child wants to socialize with the other children in the neighbourhood irrespective of the ages. That is when he/she releases the tight grasp on your hands in the presence of a neighbour.
3. When she bellows not to go home and keep running errands and riding in the car.
4. When she is done with a few rhymes, numbers and alphabets.
5. When she follows two or more instructions at a time.
6. When she carries out a job independently without your help.
7. Most important is that the child is potty trained.
I have been looking around for some preschools in the neighbourhood and got a lot to know. So I thought I'd jot down a few points to identify a good preschool.
Distance:
Distance is the number one convenience factor. The place should necessarily be nearby your work or home so you could never leave your child to wait for hours.
Cleanliness:
Of course, a school is expected to be neat and tidy, But only to an extent the cleanliness factor exists. It is always better to teach your child not to touch the unclean things all over the school. Neatness starts at home.
Staff:
The majorly threatening part is that we hear horror stories of pedophiles and what they do to the school going children. You may not get to know the bio-data of the staff, but at least inquire about the teachers and caretakers through reliable sources. And never be late to pick up the child.
Curriculum:
I have very little idea on this. The subject is vast.
Environment:
A school nearby declared that they don't encourage 3 things: TV, AC, Computer because these are things that they see every day at home. I liked the idea of providing an environment which focuses more on learning than the luxuries of home.
There are schools in Chennai which claim to be international while the only difference they possess is that they teach Montessori method over the traditional Kindergarten method. I see no other special tags related to their international claim.
I might learn more about the teaching methodologies and curriculum of the nursery in the coming days, so will keep you updated.
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