Chantal 0:02
preschoolers don't really come with a manual, do they? You want to spend your day helping them grow and enjoying the magic of learning through the eyes of a preschooler. You also want to help them deal with all the big feelings that come with being three or four. But real talk, you don't have a lot of time. We need to prep for the day with confidence, and ditch the stress that sometimes comes along the way. I got you. Welcome to the preschool Made Easy podcast. I'm your host, Chantal, a kinder teacher turned curriculum designer, and preschool consultant, and I'm here to help you make this school year, the best one yet. Let's get to the show.
Hey, hey, everyone, you're listening to episode four. And today we're diving into why I love preschool as a parent, how it's made a difference in my child. And my advice to other parents considering enrolling their child in preschool if your child is in preschool, or maybe you're thinking about what skills your child needs to master before they get to kindergarten, I have a super helpful Kinder readiness checklist you can grab in the show notes and start working on today.
Listen, I'm all about keeping it simple. So let's get to it. Preschool has been such an incredible experience for both my daughter and I. We did homeschool preschool, which means I started teaching her at home. From the moment she was about 16 months old, all the way through her preschool years. We then I enrolled her in a formal pre K program. And then she began kindergarten. Our journey looked very similar to what you would see in a formal preschool setting, but I recreated it at home. So I had the flow of the classroom with art, sensory literacy and math centers, whole classroom library, and simple materials we already had in our home. I then created a similar schedule that included a morning circle time, a sensory bin invitation to play, some handwriting practice, a literacy activity, a math activity, some outdoor playtime. I also included sometimes an extension activity that included art, music or science. And then we would typically end each day by reading books together. It was definitely a time of growth, discovery and overall building a strong foundation for her future.
When we decided to enroll her in a pre K program, we really wanted a place where she felt supported and loved while gaining the social skills she really needed. At home. It was just the three of us, right her mom, her dad, and my daughter, which at the end of the day is an only child so she really needed to build those social skills that she wasn't getting at home. We found the perfect one close to our house that helped her learn so many new concepts and truly enhance the education I had already given her. As a parent, I couldn't be happier witnessing her development. In such a nurturing and supportive environment. She really had the best teachers sense of community and overall academic support system. During her preschool time, she was given a structured routine that helped her learn important life skills like following directions, and time management, organization and responsibility.
I honestly feel like it prepared her for the transition to kindergarten and gave her the foundation she needed to continue to higher grade levels. Her teachers also instilled a sense of ownership and discipline that has made a difference even in her daily habits at home. You know, as a parent, I seriously appreciate the structure and stability preschool gave us all one of the ways I noticed preschool made a real difference in my daughter was the opportunity for social interaction. Seeing her make new friends and build relationships with others who are not in our immediate family was so incredible. Preschool gave my daughter a safe and structured place to make friends share and communicate with others. Watching her form those early bonds and develop those social skills she needed has been nothing short of amazing. Another thing I realized really made a difference was the emphasis on Play and holistic development.
Now, if you've listened to previous episodes, you know I'm all about keeping it simple. Children need a play and let them be creative. Her preschool created an environment where the children were actually able to explore their interests, grow their cognitive abilities and express their creativity through play. I mean, yes, that's what we all strive for. They had so many fun and engaging activities for them to do throughout the day, that the children were never bored. They rarely had any behavior issues. My child was able to discover her passions, new hobbies, and really learn more about the way she enjoyed learning to see her thrive. And that kind of setting was everything to this mama, there is nothing greater than to see your baby grow socially, emotionally, creatively, and academically all at once.
To add to that last point, I will say this preschool has had such a profound impact on my daughter's confidence and independence, which is pretty much the goal of parenting right. She gained a sense of autonomy, and is now able to make her own choices and express herself. She takes pride in her accomplishments and takes on new challenges with excitement, which is so rewarding to see. She believes in herself and now I can continue encouraging and motivating her at home.
Parents if you're considering enrolling your kiddo in preschool, here's a little advice. Embrace the challenges and be flexible. Know that things will constantly keep changing. But take advantage of the time because it really goes by fast. Use those opportunities to talk to them and encourage them to try new things and be curious. Take the time to research different places to find the best fit for you and your family. Be an active participant in your child's education. And don't assume it's the teacher's job to teach them all the things. You'd be surprised how far a great partnership can really go. Remember, if you need any help deciding which preschool is best for your littles, or how you can start at home. I'm only a click away. message me on Instagram at Shansi dot Macias and let me know how I can help. Thank you so much for hanging out with me today. I love creating content to support you on your preschool journey. So if you enjoyed this episode, reach out to me on Instagram and let me know what resonated or any questions you may have. Let's keep the conversation going. So we can support more preschool teachers and parents, just like you see in the next episode.
