Preparing for Preschool

A child's early years are an important part of child development. You are excited about your child's first school year, but here are a few things you should do when preparing your child for preschool.

Choose a School with Healthy Food for 5-Year-Olds

Preschools that participate in the Healthy Meals in Child Care Centres Programme (HMCCP) not only offer healthy meals and snacks, e.g. suitable portions and nutritious dishes, they also help your child build good eating habits!

Remind Your 5-Year-Old about Healthy Eating

Remind your kid to practise what he has been learning at home: e.g. sweets and ice cream are a "sometimes" food eaten in small amounts, fruit and vegetables are good for him, and to stop eating when he feels full.

Continue to teach your child how to choose healthy foods from the different food groups, and to drink more water instead of fruit juice (especially those with added sugar) instead.

Inform the School about Allergies

If your child has any food allergies, make sure you let the school know, so that they are aware and can take the necessary precautions. If your child is lactose intolerant and cannot take dairy products, let the school know as well.

Ease Your Child's Worries and Anxieties

Is your child anxious to start preschool? Listen to his worries and make him feel heard. Share with him fun things he can look forward to, such as reading books, learning new skills, playing fun games that encourage physical activity, and making new friends.

Scout out the School with the Little One

Bring him to the school in advance and let him see what the place is like for himself. This will help reduce his anxiety and calm his nerves on the first day of preschool.

You can also take the opportunity to ask about the school's lesson plans so that you will also have a better idea of what to expect when school starts.

Stay with Your Child for a While

Accompany him for the first few days if you feel that he needs you to. Do not stay too long as it will make it harder for him to let go.

Leave once he settles in and takes an interest in his surroundings and the people around him. It's normal for your child to cry. Reassure him that you will be back in the evening to bring him home.

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