Candid Chat with Anju Patel on Parenting
Anju Patel, a grandmother from Mahim West, shares her experience with First Crayon (www.firstcrayon.com) of finding her grandchildren’s first school.
How did you decide at what age to send your grandchild to his first school?
He was not mixing with other kids. We wanted him to start developing his social skills. So we decided to put him in a preschool that would help him make new friends.
What were your information sources during the preschool search process? Which source was the most valuable?
Word of mouth, friends and internet. Information from friends was very valuable to us. It helped us to decide on a good preschool that suited his personality.
What were your 3 most important factors while choosing a preschool? Why?
Quality of teachers, distance from home and surroundings are essential factors to choose a preschool. Good teachers ensure that children are learning and developing well. The preschool should be close to my home, so that we can save the traveling time. My grandchild’s safety is important to us so the surroundings of the preschool were also a vital factor to consider.
What is the one thing that you feel you did really well during your preschool search, and other mothers should learn from you?
We chose a preschool which is near our home. This way the child doesn’t get tired from a long commute and in case of emergency, we are able to reach the preschool quickly. I advise other parents to do the same.
What changes do you see in your (grand)child after going to preschool?
After starting preschool, he has become more friendly and social. He has also started to show signs of independence and enjoys playing on his own.
What is your most important tip for parents to prepare their child and themselves for the first day of preschool?
He cried on his first day, and that’s okay. Children get adjusted to preschool in a few days. Parents should make themselves mentally prepared.
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