5 Important Questions to Ask Your Preschooler's Teacher at the Start of Each Year

The quality of your child’s preschool education plays a pivotal role in their socioemotional and academic development, as it sets the stage for how they’ll respond to their learning experiences in their later years. As such, you may already know that you’ll need to choose a reputable pre-nursery, nursery, and kindergarten Bukit Timah parents can trust.

However, the process of providing your child with an enriching education doesn’t end there. It’s also a good idea to establish a strong collaborative relationship with your child’s preschool teacher. By doing so, you can gain a better understanding of what your little one needs to flourish and where they can still stand to improve. The best way to do this is to ask the preschool teacher clear and specific questions that will provide key insights on your child’s academic environment, routines, and needs.

While it’s good to request for progress reports in the middle and end of the school year, asking questions before school starts is also something you should do as the parent of a preschooler. This way, you can better prepare your little one for what’s to come. To help you get started, below are five essential questions that you can discuss with your child’s preschool teacher:

What Are the Skills and Subjects My Child is Expected to Learn This Year?

This question will provide you with a better overview of your child’s learning goals. After all, every school has their own unique curriculum. For example, certain schools may focus more on subjects like reading, maths, and science. Others may place heavier emphasis on the arts and creativity. Familiarising yourself with these expectations will give you insight into how your child’s progress will be measured. This, in turn, will help you better understand and address their educational needs.

The skills that your child will learn in preschool won’t be just academic in nature. They could also include basic life skills, which are integral to the personal development of young children. As such, it would help to ask the teacher what your child is expected to do for themselves. Some examples include placing their belongings in the correct storage units, opening snacks and drinks, and tying their shoes.

Once you’ve gotten an answer, you can assist your child in practising these skills at home. If they require more assistance in these matters as time goes on, don’t hesitate to ask their teacher for guidance.

What Does a Regular Day at School Look Like?

It’s always good to know what an average school day looks like for your child. Whether they have a half-day or full-day schedule, being aware of their activities will help you pack the appropriate school supplies, personal belongings, and meals for them.

On the topic of food, be sure to ask what time recess will be taking place. If your child will be taking their meals quite early or late, pack accordingly. Providing nutritious food is key to keeping your child healthy, and also plays a large role in improving mood and brain function. If you have any concerns regarding recess, break time, or other components of your little one’s daily schedule, do bring them up with their teacher.

Are You Equipped to Support Children with Different Needs?

Each child is built with unique needs and learns at a different pace. Some students can struggle with certain skills, and that’s okay. What’s most important is having an educator who can provide them with the support they need to unlock their full potential.

If your child is having difficulties with certain subjects or skills, ask whether they can be accommodated and how this will be done. If your child’s teacher is unable to provide support on their own, inquire about school programs, tutors, or aides that can provide additional assistance.

How Do You Handle Difficult Behaviour?

Understanding and controlling one’s emotions can be a challenging endeavour for children, especially those who are preschool-aged. Since most younger children haven’t fully grasped social norms and boundaries, they’re likely to act out or display difficult behaviours. However, good teachers should be able to respond to these outbursts with patience and constructive guidance, rather than punitive measures.

As such, be sure to ask your child’s teacher how they manage challenging behaviour from their students. This will help you ensure that your little one is in a physically and emotionally safe environment.

What Is the Best Way to Get in Touch with You?

It’s critical to maintain frequent communication with your child’s teacher, as it keeps you both informed and up to date. However, there are appropriate times to do this. Teachers usually have their hands full during certain periods of the day—such as drop-off and pick-up times—so be sure to ask them when and how they’d prefer to be contacted. Choosing an appropriate time and method of communication gives the teacher enough space to provide in-depth and thoughtful feedback on your child’s performance.

To ensure that your child receives a quality education, preparation is key. By asking the right questions and exchanging important insights about your child’s growth in preschool, you and your child’s teacher can work together to create the most enriching learning experience for your little one—which, in turn, will help them develop into the best version of themselves.

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