There’s no question that the pandemic had far-reaching effects on the entire world. It changed every aspect of our daily lives; from how we worked and did business, shopped for groceries, and celebrated milestones with our families. Schools across the nation went virtual, childcare facilities were closed, and mommy-and-me play groups disbanded while entire families retreated to the safety of their homes. As a result, babies born during the pandemic had few opportunities for socialization and enrichment. Caregivers are now tasked with preparing pandemic babies for preschool.
The impact of the pandemic on child development
How to help pandemic babies prepare for preschool
Apart from regulating emotions and learning to socialize with peers, there are a number of aspects of preschool that many preschoolers – pandemic or otherwise – have yet to experience. Here are a few ways to help pandemic babies prepare for preschool.
Create a morning routine – nothing ruins a morning than a cranky toddler. Well before the first day of preschool, begin practicing your school-day morning routine so they know what is expected.
Visit the school and playground – knowing what the environment looks like and what is expected of them will go a long way. Familiarize your preschooler with the school and playground prior to their first day of school.
Work on potty-training – depending on your child’s preschool rules and stipulations, potty-training may be required for attendance. If possible, make sure your child is fully potty-trained.
Master the lunchbox and food packaging – while your child’s teacher will be happy to help your little one open their Gogurt, it can be challenging trying to attend to twenty children during a 25-minute lunch break. Help a teacher out and ensure your preschooler knows how to access all of the food in their lunchbox independently.
