The Power of Natural Preschool Setting

In the state of North Carolina, children aged 4 can be considered eligible for a preschool program. While specific conditions must be met in order to be considered eligible (found here), children within a preschool program

Children with autism may need additional support in place in order to participate in group-based instruction. This is where a preschool-readiness program can be particularly valuable in setting your child up for success!

Smart Start

Signs of Delay in Preschool Readiness

While the transition to a preschool environment brings its own challenges for every family, generally, 4 year old children are expected to have met a few key milestones in order to get the most out of the preschool environment. Some signs that your child may not be ready for preschool may include: 

  • Separating from parents and caregivers with minimal distress 
  • Able to understand and follow simple instructions 
  • Can express their needs verbally or using gestures such as ASL. 
  • Able to walk independently and without significant falls.

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Building Preschool Readiness

For children who may be facing a delay in their developmental milestones for preschool, a number of underlying causes may play a role. Part of preparing children with autism for preschool is to meet them where they are and gently introducing the skills to help them thrive in their new environment. A few suggestions are as follows:

  • Practice separations & transitions 
    • Practice separating from your child in a safe environment — such as by leaving them briefly with a grandparent or trusted friend. 
  • Model Social Skills 
    • When interacting with your child, label behaviors like turn-taking and waving. 
  • Build Emotional Regulation Tools 
    • Find and practice skills that help your child relax and recenter themselves — like taking a deep breath or using a fidget toy. 

Programs like our own FUNction Junction are designed to empower parents with the tools they need to help build these skills, while providing a preschool-ready environment. 

Wondering About Developmental Milestones?

Have questions about your child’s development, or wondering if a certain diagnosis may be a fit? Try out our developmental screening tool— it’s a fast, free way to get a snapshot of your child’s progress on his or her developmental milestones. 

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