5 things to help prepare your toddler for playgroup

5 things to help prepare your toddler for playgroup

The transition into playgroup is one big step for your little one. It opens the door to even more opportunities for them to learn new things, including independence.

But of course, you don’t need to throw your child into those waters without help! Most Singaporean parents will prepare their child for the transition in advance, to make the change a lower-friction one.

In this guide, we’ll show you some of the best ways to prepare for a toddler playgroup in Singapore. Your child can go into that first day more smoothly with some of these tips.

1. Talk to your child positively about it

This is a technique that has helped many a parent through transitions like the move from preschool to primary, or even the shift from primary to secondary.

It’s normal for a child to feel some anxiety over a big change. Talking to them about it and making it sound like a positive development flips that anxiety on its head. It starts making them look forward to what’s going to happen.

Talk about the good opportunities that they can find in playgroup. For instance, discuss the possibility of making new friends or playing with others. Don’t focus on separation from you, but on the fun new possibilities available to them.

2. Give them a routine they can follow

Prepare your child for the start of playgroup by training them in their new schedule early on. Start with a routine for their sleeping schedule the night before, for example, followed by a routine for their wake-up and meals.

You can even start teaching your child certain self-care routines at this point. Brushing their teeth and dressing are key ones to work on.

Once the child is accustomed to the routine, the actual first day of playgroup won’t even trigger an alarm. It’ll be business as usual and your child will know exactly what to do while preparing for the day!

3. Build your child’s self-care skills

We just mentioned it in the previous tip, but it’s important enough that it should get its own tip here. Self-care is crucial for a child entering playgroup if you want your child to enjoy the change.

This is because it gives your child a sense of confidence and control. It proves to them that they can do things for themselves, even without you to do it for them.

So, teach your child how to dress, put on shoes, eat, and even tidy up without your help. It will come in handy!

4. Practise the separation in advance

Toddlers usually don’t love being separated from their parents. Springing a big separation on them without preparation can turn the whole thing into a messy affair.

Prepare your child for the playgroup separation by replicating it with short separations before that. Ask a trusted relative or friend to help you by acting as the babysitter.

You can gradually increase the length of time you’re separated until it’s close to the playgroup duration. This will help your child get accustomed to the idea of you leaving but always returning in the future.

5. Visit the playgroup together before your child’s first day

Unfamiliarity is a big part of what makes things like the first day of playgroup scary. So, take it away! Bring your child to the playgroup location in advance!

Most playgroups or preschools with playgroups will allow you to do this. They can even arrange for your child to meet the teachers early on.

This is a great way to build familiarity with the environment in advance, reducing the child’s fear of the unknown and even building a sense of excitement for the future!