How to Navigate Your Child's Preschool Education

Preschool parents, here are six reasons why you are right about your preschooler's development.

1) Intelligence: "Everyone Makes Me Feel Dumb About My Child’s Symptoms."

It's not uncommon for parents of preschool-aged children to feel uncertain or "dumb" at times, especially if they are new to the role of parenting or are navigating unfamiliar territory. Here are a few reasons why you may feel unsure of your concerns about your preschooler’s development:

• Lack of experience: Many parents of preschoolers are new to parenting and may feel unsure about whether or not their child has typical development.
• Comparison to others: Parents may feel pressure to compare themselves to other parents, especially if they feel that others are more experienced or knowledgeable.

Parental instincts about your preschooler's behaviors are typically correct. Why? The answer is simple: You are the expert on your child's symptoms. The challenge is taking too long to act when you are aware of something being atypical with your child due to outside distractions, (i.e., others denying your child's symptoms or telling you that you are wrong).

Atypical symptoms do not always mean a diagnosable mental health condition or impending doom as you may feel. Try not to panic. Feel confident in what you observe within your child and act. The early childhood period is a great time to improve your child's symptoms with early interventions, such as speech/language, occupational, and physical therapy services.

2) Instincts: "Am I Right About My Preschooler’s Symptoms?"

Your natural behavior and instincts are to protect, nurture, and care for your preschooler. In developing a strong bond with your preschooler, you will have a sense of when something is wrong. You have direct knowledge of whether your preschooler is thriving, and you are the most valuable resource on behalf of your preschool.

When you watch your preschooler develop and grow, you are learning about their physical, emotional, cognitive, and social development on a daily basis. If their early development is interrupted by signs and symptoms that are unusual to you, it may be an indication that your preschooler is not thriving. Common signs of not thriving include the following:

• Poor physical health
• Emotional difficulties
• Cognitive delays
• Social isolation
• Lack of resilience

Most people have the best intentions for you and your child. However, it is not advisable for others to tell preschool parents to ignore early signs of something being wrong with their child. Early intervention can be critical in addressing any issues or concerns that may be impacting the child's development and well-being. Ignoring early signs of a problem can lead to the issue worsening over time, making it more difficult to address later on. You are in the best position to observe your child's behavior and development and to identify any potential issues or concerns.

3) Historian: "How Do I Keep Track of My Preschooler’s Symptoms?"

You are a natural historian for your child and you play an important role for your preschooler by documenting your child's milestones, achievements, and experiences. By doing so, you create a record of your preschooler's early development that can be helpful when speaking to professionals about your concerns. Here are some ways in which you can act as a historian for your preschoolers:

• Record Milestones: Record your child's milestones, such as their first words, first steps, and the first day of preschool. This helps to create a timeline of your child's development and progress.
• Keep a Journal: Keep a journal or diary to document your child's daily activities and experiences. This helps to capture details about your concerns, such as day, time, activity, reaction, and consequences.
• Preserve School Records: Keep your preschooler's records for example, copies of your Individualized Education Plan (IEP), attendance, school projects, and other school-related work.

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By acting as a historian for your preschooler, you are creating a record of your preschooler’s early development that can be used to develop goals, interventions, and services. It's a valuable way to discuss your data with providers, as well as teachers, and to track progress about your concerns. I created a "Special Education Journal" just for you, to help you to track your own data about your child and to make navigating the special education process much easier. I had preschool parents in mind when I created this logbook.

4) Kid Comparisons: “I shouldn’t compare my kids, but I know something is wrong with this one.”

Do not feel bad if you compare your preschooler to their siblings. When you use comparisons, however, avoid unrealistic expectations about your preschooler. Your preschooler is a unique individual and will develop strengths, weaknesses, personality traits, and interests within their own time. In comparing the children, you want to avoid a sense of competition and pressure which can damage their self-esteem and confidence.

When you compare your children and notice something “different” within your preschooler, avoid assumptions about what could be wrong. Instead, take notice of it by documenting what you see, keeping track of it, and consulting with professionals. This is replacing your comparisons with a healthier route of determining if what you observe warrants interventions.

Comparing your preschooler to other kids can be a common tendency for parents. Here are some tips to help you stop comparing your preschooler to your other children:

• Recognize the harmful effects: Understanding the negative impact that comparison can have on your preschooler's self-esteem and well-being which can help you prioritize avoiding comparisons.
• Focus on your child's strengths: Instead of comparing your child to others, focus on their individual strengths and interests.
• Appreciate your preschooler's differences: Embrace your child's unique qualities and recognize that their differences make them special. Avoid comparing your preschooler to others based on arbitrary criteria such as grades, appearance, or behavior.

5) Preschool Attendance: “Should I place my child in preschool?”

This is a common question that I am asked by preschool parents, and it is also a very personal one. Many are content with their preschooler remaining home with them instead of attending preschool. It is a tough decision to make; however, there are benefits to allowing your preschooler to attend preschool for several reasons:

• Socialization: Preschool can provide an opportunity for children to socialize with their peers and develop social skills such as sharing, taking turns, and cooperating.
• Early academic preparation: Preschool can help children develop early academic skills such as letter recognition, counting, and problem-solving.
• Structure and routine: Preschool can provide a structured environment with a routine that can help children develop good habits and time-management skills.
• Development of independence: Preschool can help children develop a sense of independence and self-confidence by encouraging them to try new things and make their own choices.

Source: Image by Rudy and Peter Skitterians from Pixabay

6) Special Services: "Should I seek Early Intervention?"

There are several types of special education services available for preschoolers, including:

• Early Intervention: This program provides services to children from birth to age 3 who have developmental delays or disabilities.
• Preschool Special Education: This program provides services to children ages 3 to 5 who have developmental delays or disabilities.
• Individualized Education Plan (IEP): An IEP is a written plan that outlines the special education services a child will receive. The plan is developed by a team of professionals and is tailored to meet the unique needs of the child.
• Section 504 Plan: This plan provides accommodations and support to children with disabilities who do not qualify for special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Early intervention and support can make a significant difference in a child's development and success in school. If you are offered special education and related services for your preschooler, you do have the right to refuse special education services. But, it is important to consider the potential impact of such a decision on their development.

• If a child has been identified as having a developmental delay or disability, early intervention, and support can be critical for their long-term success in school and life.
• If you feel that your child's needs are being adequately met without special education services, you may choose to decline them.

Build positive relationships with preschool teachers. Check-in with your child’s teacher to stay informed about your child's progress. This creates a supportive and collaborative learning environment that benefits both your preschooler and the preschool.

Feel empowered. Preschool parents are not dumb! In fact, preschool parents are often highly educated and engaged in their child's education. You recognize the importance of early childhood education. Empowered parents are more likely to be engaged and invested in their child's education, which can lead to better outcomes for the child and the community as a whole.