Some time after turning 2, the toddler inside your baby begins to reveal itself. This means a major milestone could be approaching, and you’re sure to be having discussions with your partner and friends about whether the time for play school is ripe.
All signs point to 2½ being a good age to start. At that age, children can use short sentences, understand simple requests and instructions, begin to enjoy playing with – rather than just beside – other children and, as Marina Petropulos writes in the Baby and Childcare Handbook, being with Mom is ”no longer a primary concern”.
But do all these things add up to being ready?
Not always, and you won’t have to look far to find a parent for whom the attempt at school was stormy.
“At 2, I thought we’d give school a try,” reflects Tania Jones. Sam was pottytrained, quite sociable around other children, and he could speak well and concentrate. ”I was a bit concerned about how close he and I were. I had never left him with people he didn’t know, and even though he’d met the teacher and her assistant and played in the class, he didn’t really know them yet.
“I expected tears the first few days. Day one was fine, but day two and three were horrible. But it wasn’t that that made me realise he wasn’t ready. What made me change my mind was that he suddenly would not let me out of this sight, and bedtime turned back into a nightmare after a few months of being better.
“I took him out of the school and made the decision to keep him home a while longer. I believed he would give me a sign when he was ready for school.
Bu hikaye Your Pregnancy dergisinin December 2020/January 2021 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Your Pregnancy dergisinin December 2020/January 2021 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
COVID & your child
Symptoms, treatment, vaccines and a rare condition called MIS-C is on our minds when it comes to The Virus these days.
EYES WIDE OPEN!
Breastfeeding and night wakings? Experts shine a light on a possible connection.
RAISING A BRAT? TIME FOR A RESET!
It happens, even with the best of intentions. Sometimes we go overboard trying to show our love – and then things backfire.
Prioritise REST!
The fatigue of pregnancy serves to remind you exactly what miracle your body is performing, so it’s essential to listen to it. Here’s what you can do to get through these low times.
CRYING CLUES
Discover the meaning behind your baby’s cries.
Pushing isn't all you need to do!
There are four main factors that affect the length and intensity of labour. They are known as the four P’s and work together to make each woman’s labour unique.
We're all NERVOUS about it!
Sure, it can seem scarier than labour, but with these simple tips to bathing your newborn, you’ll soon be a pro.
FOUR-FOOTED FAMILY MEMBERS
Your children and your pets – everything you’ll need to know to be a happy family.
Here's to HAPPIER beach days!
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
TALK SO YOU'RE HEARD!
Feel like your child just doesn’t listen to you? There are some techniques you can use to improve your chances of getting through.