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Your Preschooler's Not a Morning Person? Prevent School Lateness

Admin • March 30, 2019
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Just like adults, not all preschoolers are morning people! Some are cranky in the mornings; others are slow. Trying to get an uncooperative preschooler out the door and to school on time can be a challenge. But if you prepare ahead of time, you can make the mornings easier on your little one. Here's what you need to know.

1. Do as Much as Possible the Night Before

Have your child's clothing, shoes, bag, and other items ready to go the night before. This way, your preschooler can get dressed faster and more efficiently. This also prevents meltdowns when a shoe is missing, or they can't find their favorite sweater on the way out the door.

2. Follow a Routine

Preschoolers thrive on routines. Establish a clear, consistent routine for school mornings so that your child will know what to expect. This will allow your child to be more independent in the morning and may reduce arguments.

3. Give Choices

Preschoolers love to make choices about things that affect their lives. When they have choices, many become more cooperative and compliant. Give your child ownership over their morning routine by allowing your child a choice of weather-appropriate clothing and shoes.

Doing this will prevent the "but I don't want to wear that!" argument. To avoid issues with food, allow your child to choose what they will eat for breakfast and lunch.

4. Practice

Young children learn best through experience. Ask your child to practice their morning routine, either by replicating it on weekend mornings or simply by pretending it is morning at a different time of the day. Turn this into a game and use a stopwatch to time your child's speed, and then challenge your child to beat their best time.

5. Allow Them to Earn Time for a Preferred Activity

Reward your child if they're ready before it's time to go out the door by allowing them to have time for a preferred activity. Give them a few minutes of screen time or time to play with a favorite toy. If there isn't enough time, you could also allow your child to earn a preferred activity that they can do in the car on their way to preschool.

6. Simplify Breakfast

Shave time off your morning routine by switching to foods that you can make in advance, like overnight oats or make-ahead breakfast bars. Stay away from foods that have to be made on the spot, like eggs or toast. This will free up more time for you to be active in your preschooler's morning routine, so it will be easier for you to keep them on task.

7. Make Sure They Sleep Enough

If your child still struggles with their morning routine after you implement these suggestions, your child may be overly tired. Move your child's bedtime to an earlier time, and see if getting an extra half an hour to an hour of sleep makes the morning go more smoothly.

While you examine sleep schedules, take a look at your own. If you feel off in the mornings, your child may be responding to (and mirroring) your emotional state. Go to bed earlier, and get up with enough time to have a cup of coffee before waking your child for the morning.

Want Info About Making Preschool Work? Talk to the Experts

A lot of kids struggle with preschool in the beginning. Changes to routines, new children, and strange places can be a challenge. If your little one has trouble with preschool, talk to your child's preschool teacher for suggestions.

At Kids & Company, we're happy to give you suggestions. Call us today for more information.

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3 Major Benefits of Outdoor Play for Preschoolers

By Admin • May 30, 2019
If your child prefers the screen over the swing set, read this article to learn why preschoolers should play outside & how you can help them to enjoy it.
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Dealing With Separation Anxiety in Children

By Admin • January 30, 2019
Every child is different, and you never know when, or if, separation anxiety will become an issue. Some kids have no problem skipping into a child care center and are eager for Mom or Dad to leave. Others have a difficult time saying goodbye. Still other kids might have some days when they're excited for time with their friends and other days when they cling to a parent's leg. In these last cases, parents sometimes have trouble figuring out what triggers their child's separation anxiety. The good news is that there are ways to work through these separation anxiety issues. Compassionate caregivers at the child care center and understanding parents can help children through this important step that's just part of growing up.
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Is Your Child Ready for Preschool?

By Admin • November 30, 2018
Deciding whether to send your child to preschool or not is one of the earliest decisions you make for your child's education. Your child's future success in school begins with making positive decisions based on their needs. While many preschools begin taking children while they are still toddlers, this does not mean you and your child are ready. You may want to ensure your child is emotionally, socially, physically, and cognitively developed enough to attend an educational program with other children.  Continue reading to see if your child is ready to begin preschool.
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4 Ways Preschool Benefits Your Toddler

By Admin • October 7, 2018
Studies indicate that children who attend preschool are more prepared for kindergarten than those who do not. A quality preschool curriculum helps your child build a foundation of social and developmental skills that will them excel in school. Though there is no disputing the benefits of preschool, there is some controversy regarding when your child should start preschool and whether or not preschool benefits toddleraged children.  Most children start preschool between three and four years of age. However, you can find preschool programs for younger children as well. Young children, including toddlers, can benefit from these programs. Read on to understand a few of the benefits that preschool has for your toddler-aged child.
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Common Questions About Preschoolers, Activity, and Obesity

By Admin • August 6, 2018
Obesity is an epidemic that affects one in three American children, according to the American Heart Association. With a growing trend towards a sedentary lifestyle, including a heavier reliance on screens on less time spent outdoors or being active, it's easy to figure out why the number of young children who are overweight or obese is growing. As a parent, you may wonder what you can do to help your preschooler reduce the risk of obesity. Along with the daily physical activity your child gets during their preschool day, you can help them to eat right and stay active at home. Not only will regular physical activity help to keep your child at a healthy weight, but it will also improve both their fine (small) and gross (large) motor skills. These abilities are necessary for your child to do everything from buttoning their coat to walking up and down the stairs. How can you help your preschooler to combat the obesity epidemic? Look at some of the common questions that parents of prekindergarten children have about weight gain and a healthy lifestyle. 
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3 Milestones That Mark Your Child's Readiness for Preschool

By Admin • June 8, 2018
Early education can set your child up for success later in life. Enrolling your child in a preschool class can be a great way to jump-start your child's education. Many parents assume that their child will be ready to enter preschool when they hit the age of eligibility, but this isn't true. Children develop at different rates, both physically and emotionally. Sending your child to preschool before he or she is ready could end in disaster. You should use more than just age to help you determine when your child is mature enough to attend preschool classes. Here are some basic guidelines.
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Tips to Communicate With Your Child's Preschool Teacher

By Admin • April 11, 2018
Your child's preschool teacher serves as a partner in their development, and strong communication between them and your family is essential to your child's success. However, it often feels as though there is little time to communicate during the rush of dropping off and picking up your child. At drop off time, you may worry about interfering with the teacher's other duties by asking to talk. Alternatively, you may not know exactly how to broach a difficult topic such as your child's special needs. Now that your child is in the right preschool classroom use these tips to foster excellent communication with their teacher that supports your child's learning.
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Tips for Protecting Your Preschooler's Health During Flu Season

By Admin • February 7, 2018
Flu season fills many parents with dread each year. It can seem inevitable that all the little ones in class will get it at some point. However, there are things you can do to decrease the odds of your children contracting the flu this year. Consider and follow these tips to protect the health of your preschoolers throughout flu season and beyond.
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Technology Use in Preschool Programs

By Admin • December 11, 2017
You already know that your preschooler is learning and growing every day. From building basic math skills to beginning to read and write, the early childhood classroom is the seat of development for your young child. In addition to science, social studies and art, modern curriculum also includes technology. Even though your child is under the age of five, that does not mean they can't get a jump-start on technology use. Obviously, classroom tech-time doesn't look the same as it does for you. Your preschooler isn't answering slews of emails, and they're not binge-watching their favorite show on a tablet. So what does technology use look like in the preschool classroom? Take a look at how computers, media and other technological devices function in preschool programs.
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Preschoolers and Independence: How to Help Your Child at Home

By Admin • October 11, 2017
Your preschooler is completely self-sufficient, in-control and an A+ listener—at school that is. Even though the teacher raves about your little learner's ability to follow directions, clean up after playtime and do things (such as putting on her own jacket) without adult help, you just aren't seeing those skills at home. What is going on? Don't stress. This is completely normal. The seemingly Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde routine of behaving one way at preschool and another way at home is common and typically isn't anything to worry about. Of course, that doesn't mean you won't daydream about your child acting like her school-self when she's around you. How can you help your preschooler to act independently, cooperate with you (or siblings) and behave in more acceptable ways at home? Take a look at these tips for getting your child to show off some of that "school-time" behavior when she's around you.
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