Resources

Choosing a Preschool/Separation

10 signs of a great preschool
How to spot a top notch program for your child.
How academic should a preschool be?
The best preschools blend play time and “seat work,” helping develop academic skills while allowing children to learn through play.
A smooth start
When your child starts preschool, she may experience separation anxiety and regressive behavior. Child psychiatrist Joshua Sparrow explains what you can expect.

How important is play in preschool?
As preschools strengthen their academic focus, play maintains a vital role.

Why should your child attend preschool?
In preschool, your child will learn to share, follow instructions and begin the foundation for school learning.
Developmental milestones: Ages 3 through 5
Knowing what to expect as your child grows can reassure you that your child is on track with his peers or alert you to potential concerns.
Write Out of the Box!
Fine motor skill development for preschool children

One of the best and least expensive materials for strengthening fine motor skills is playdough. Here are some ideas:
- Roll pieces and form letters or shapes
- Roll pieces and snap apart with pincer grasp
- Roll pieces and cut apart with scissors or a plastic knife
- Cold or warm playdough will stimulate the nerve endings in the fingers
More fun fine motor skill ideas:
- Create a design using a Lite-Bright
- Pick up objects with tongs gradually decreasing the size (pick up beans with tweezers)
- Tear paper stripes
- Twist small pieces of tissue paper on the end of a pencil eraser – glue the pieces into a shape outline
- Make matching games using clothespins to attach to the answer.
- Connecting cubes or unifix cubes
- Match keys to locks and lock and unlock
- Folding – washcloths or pieces of fabric before paper
- Dress a Doll – zippers, buttons, hooks
- Weave construction paper strips
- Peg boards and geo boards