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Early Years (2-6)

Time for preschool? How to tell if your little one is ready. By Jena VuylstekePublished: January, 2009

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Your child turns 3 in a few months. She’s walking, talking and practically potty-trained, but does this mean she’s ready for preschool?           While most preschools start accepting children at age 2 1/2, some need a few more months at home to prepare.     “It really depends on each child,” says Fritzi Gragg, program director for Child Development Incorporated, an Irvine-based childcare agency. “When you start to feel like you’re losing their attention span and they gravitate toward other children in public, it may be time to consider enrolling them in a program.”     Some children, however, may seem ready to interact socially, but are not prepared for the emotional anxiety of being away from their parents for an extended period of time.     “Separation anxiety is the biggest issue for most children,” Gragg says. “If they are not used to having a parent leave from time to time, its hard for them to detach and have a successful experience.”     Janice Zorn, preschool and after-school program director at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Newport Beach, says that even kids who initially have problems are more adaptable than we think.      “A preschool should be willing to work with a child regardless of their level of development,” she says. That said, most preschool teachers expect their students to come prepared with the ability to get along in a group, pay attention for at least 15 minutes at a time and follow two to three instructions.     “Parents don’t usually realize this,” says Zorn, “and they often work on teaching their children the alphabet instead of learning how to follow directions.”     Finding the right preschool program is about more than just the child. Parents need to feel comfortable and confident leaving their child in the hands of the staff.     “You want the program to be an extension of your home, and you want the staff to create that,” Gragg says. “The better connected you are, and the more you communicate with the teacher on a daily basis, the easier it will be for the teacher to partner with you when problems arise.”     Gragg recommends spending time observing different programs. For instance, one may have a great instructor, but another offers the type of scheduling and daily assistance you need.     Whether the program is a half day or all day, public or private, it is important to ask these questions and make sure a preschool is a good all-around fit for the child, the parent and the instructor. Toddler toes From rigid dress shoes to comfy sneakers and sandals, properly fitting shoes are a necessity for growing feet. In fact, many adults have foot problems after wearing the incorrect shoe size as a child.     According to Dr. Thomas Mohr, pediatrician and president of the Temecula-based clinic Pediatric Partners, “Children’s feet need to be looked at by a doctor and measured every three months. Toddler’s feet are still developing, and many problems can be prevented early on by wearing the right size.”     First, parents need to make sure that, with any style, the shoe has a firm arch support that they can feel with their fingers. Many toddlers are just beginning to form arches and need stability to prevent them from getting flat feet. “Three to 5 percent of children actually have some form of flat feet,” says Dr. Mohr, “and parents should always have their child’s feet properly examined by a doctor.”     At Newport Children’s Bootery in Fashion Island, owner Brad Levy says, “Fitting children for shoes is a science. Every shoe is different, and the only way to make sure they fit is to let the child run around in them for a while.”     The Bootery has been open in its Newport Beach location for more than 42 years, and Bootery employees take pride in measuring and fitting children for shoes the same way a pediatrician would. Many parents think they know their child’s size, but, between European and American sizes, the actual number on the box is only an estimate.     Levy recommends fitting the child with up to four months’ room to grow. Generally, this means fitting according to the “thumb rule,” or leaving about a small thumb or a centimeter of space between the end of the big toe and the end of the shoe. Most children also tend to have wider feet, so the width of the shoe should be taken into consideration, as well.     While many parents choose Velcro shoes for their children, Bergstrom Children Store’s salesperson Yolanda Lambert feels shoes that tie tend to keep the foot secure and provide the most support.     “We sell more Velcro shoes because they are easier for the parent to take on and off, but shoes that tie do a better job of keeping the foot in place,” she says.     Lambert also says that flip-flops and slip-ons are generally considered no-no’s, as injuries to the child’s foot and ankle are more likely to occur.     As parents struggle to find that shoe with the “perfect” fit, they need not focus on the price, brand or style; rather, by taking that extra time to shop, they are helping their child grow into a healthy adult. •> Great places to buy kids shoes > Bergstroms Children’s Stores – Anaheim and Irvine > Newport Children’s Bootery, Fashion Island – 949.644.2464 > Stride Rite – multiple locations > Gymboree – multiple locations > Nordstrom Baby & Kid’s Shoe Department – multiple locations > Payless (multiple locations) > The Children’s Place – multiple locations Jena Vuylsteke is an intern for OC Family magazine.

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