By Lauren Jassil, Program Manager of Early Childhood Services
Preschool can be a very rewarding experience for both you and your child. He or she has the opportunity to play new games, make friends, and develop new skills. As a parent, you have the opportunity to see your child start their path to education and begin to recognize patterns in how your child is developing outside of your home environment. However, preschool is also a time for big change and some youngsters have difficulty adjusting.
According to the US Department of Education, nearly 5,000 preschoolers were suspended during the 2011-2012 school year and approximately 2,500 students were suspended more than once. Additionally, research shows that preschool students are expelled at three times the rate of K-12 students. The good news is that research also provides a pretty good clue as to what our children need in order to be successful in school. Young children with a solid foundation of mental and physical health are able to adapt to change and do better in school. So, let’s cover the basics; what does good early childhood health look like and what can parents do to help their preschoolers stay healthy?
First, you should understand that your child is probably a little nervous to start school. One way to help ease your child’s worry is to learn the school’s routine, visit the classroom, and meet the teachers before school starts so he or she can feel prepared. If your child has a special toy, bring it along to help comfort the child. After your child has been introduced and the school year is underway, have them go to school every day they are scheduled, unless they are sick. Developing this routine is the best way to help children deal with transitioning into school and it sets the foundation for success in early learning. As a parent, be prepared to send your child to school even if they are hesitant about going or they give you those sad puppy-dog eyes.
In addition to establishing routines, keep your child’s physical health in mind. Your child’s body is growing at a fast rate so fueling them with healthy and nutritious food is important for their overall well-being. When children eat food that’s good for them, they feel better and have less distraction during the school day. If you give your child sugary drinks before or during school, they will probably experience a sugar crash, which will make it difficult for them to pay attention. Pack a well-balanced lunch for your child to help them stay alert and energized throughout the day. It’s also important to start your child’s day off with a well-balanced breakfast so they arrive at school ready to learn. It might be helpful for parents to plan the next morning’s breakfast at the same time they plan dinner to allow for a stress-free morning meal. The key is to build it into your family’s routine.
If teachers begin to notice concerning behavior or troubling interactions with classmates, you and your child have options for support. Therapists and early childhood consultants work with parents and caregivers in developing strategies to deal with disruptive behaviors such as aggression, defiance, and poor impulse control. Early childhood therapists are available in an office-based setting to provide direct counseling and work through any issues that are keeping your child from reaching his or her full potential. Some youngsters have a hard time forming close relationships with their peers. Early childhood therapists can help bring your child out of their shell through individual play and art therapy and will work with you in developing a strategy to get your child comfortably interacting with classmates.
Early childhood mental health consultants work with teachers as well as children to address and help correct concerning behaviors as they are taking place in the classroom. They provide coaching and assistance to teachers and administrators so schools are better equipped in dealing with behavioral issues.
The early childhood therapists and consultants at Community Reach Center work closely with parents and caregivers to help establish and maintain good home routines that will carry over to preschool. We provide therapy for children and families in comfortable, child-friendly settings at either Community Reach Center’s Mountainland Pediatrics building located at 8889 Fox Dr., Ste. B, Thornton, or at the Brighton Learning & Resource Campus, 1850 E. Egbert St., 2nd Floor. Through partnership and collaboration, we can all help children be healthy, happy and successful learners!
For more information, visit our website at www.communityreachcenter.org.
Lauren Jassil is the Early Childhood Services Program Manager at Community Reach Center
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Community Reach Center is a top-tier mental healthcare provider with outpatient facilities located throughout Adams County, Colorado. Community Reach serves all ages. It is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization. Services include individual and group therapy, early childhood and school-based services, substance abuse treatment, emergency services, home-based senior services, therapeutic support groups, and more. The Center is committed to integrating mental healthcare with primary healthcare in order to support the overall health of its consumers. Additionally, Mountainland Pediatrics, Inc., an affiliate of Community Reach Center, provides primary pediatric care for children from birth through age 21, and is co-located with Community Reach Center’s Child Development Center.