Learning to co-operate

Your child will be expected to wait his or her turn and work or play with other kids at preschool, so whenever you are able, work on this at home. Try sharing the same toy and putting shapes into a box; or why not try working together when, for example, hanging out the washing - you take out the clothes and your toddler hands you the pegs.

Recognising names

Your child won't be expected to be able to read his or her name when he or she starts at preschool, but being familiar with what the name's appearance, and what letter it begins with can be of great help when so many things at preschool will be marked with it. Write your child's name on art work, on the fridge in magnetic letters, with a stick in the sandpit, wherever it's possible to do so. Don't pressurise him or her to learn to recognise it at this stage though.

Filling a lunch box

If your child will be taking lunch to preschool, then choose a nice new lunch box together - maybe one with his or her favorite storybook or cartoon characters on it. A few days before the first day at preschool start packing his or her lunch into the box and allow your toddler eat from it at the kitchen table. Begin to share chores

If you haven't been asking your child to assist you with simple chores, then now's the time to start. Begin with|Concentrate on} tasks that he or she might be expected to help with at preschool, such as clearing the table, or hanging up coats.

Giving directions

Make following directions fun - try calling out several in a row, eg pick up that hairbrush, brush teddy's hair two times, give teddy a kiss and put him on the chair please. Again, don't worry if your child doesn't follow the directions consistently - he or she will probably take the staff at preschool much more seriously than you!

Offer choices

Children do have to make some decisions at preschool. Give them some practice by giving your toddler choices whenever you can. For example, "Do you want to wear the red or the blue socks?" "Do you want apple or banana?""Do you want cereal or toast for breakfast?"

Develop a structure

If your lifestyle tends to be of the spontaneous, unstructured kind, then start to incorporate some routine into your child's day in the weeks before he or she starts preschool to get them used to the idea of a structured day.

Socialising

Arrange plenty of play dates in the weeks before preschool begins to develop your child's confidence with other children. But don't arrange too many - your child may grow tired of socialising before school even begins!

Remember - beginning at preschool should be a positive experience. If your preschool runs an adjustment period in which parents and caregivers can take part, then by all means do so, it will assist your child to settle into this strange new environment. When it's time to leave, don't sneak off without saying good-bye, even if this is painful. Be sure to tell your child when you'll be back - and keep that promise. Leave with a happy look on your face that tells your toddler you're certain that she or he is going to have a wonderful day!!