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Your Toddler: Is He or She (or You) Ready For Preschool?
Picking the perfect preschool is like picking the perfect shade of lipstick—difficult but well worth the effort. And just like shades of lipstick, there isn't one preschool that works for everyone. A school that's great for so-and-so's kid may not be right for your little guy, even if it's the best school in the world with an alumni that all matriculated to Harvard and a gazillion-mile-long waiting list (that you've had Jr. on since he was in utero!). The perfect preschool for your kid is the one that suits him best. Sure, none of your friends' kids might fit in at the school you choose, but they can't get away with wearing Mac's Viva Glam Gaga like you can either! What you're thinking:"Can't wait for preschool ... I need some new art for my walls!"
Ideally ...
Make sure your kid gets to pick what he wants to do at school and that all the activities aren't driven by the teachers. Research shows a correlation between making choices at a young age and future success.
Read more of How to Choose a Preschool.
Really ...
"Everyone's in such a rush to send their kids to school. People don't want to let their kids just be babies and I think it's sad. I'm happy to be the mom who doesn't send her kids to school until pre-K." Read more of "Let Babies Be Babies" by actress Tracey Gold!
Everything you ever wanted to know and more about preschool!
- "Help! I can't decide if I want to send my kid to preschool or not!"
- 4 signs your kid is ready for preschool.
- "Seriously people, what's with all the preschool admission insanity?"
- 9 great books about starting preschool.
- Do this educational (and yummy!) shape-sorting activity with your kid!
- How can I keep my nut-allergic kid safe at school?
- "I don't want my 4-year-old in class with immature 3-year-olds!"
- Play the "I Spy the Alphabet" game!
- When will my kid start to play with other kids?
- "I feel guilty admitting this, but I love sending my kids to Mother's Day Out!"
- "I wish my kid's preschool teacher would just butt out!"
- Kristi Yamaguchi doesn't want to push her kid to be potty-trained just to go to school.
- How can I help my only child make friends at preschool?
- Chat with other toddler mamas and papas about your 2-year-old on our Toddler Message Board!
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All kids grow and develop at different rates. So please don't compare your toddler with so-and-so's from across the street—you'll just drive yourself nuts. If you have any concerns, bring them up with your pediatrician at your kid's next checkup.
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