Candid Chat with Sarita Anukumar on Parenting
Sarita Anukumar, a mother from Mahim West, shares her experience with First Crayon (www.firstcrayon.com) of finding her child’s first school.
How did you decide at what age to send your child to their first school?
At the age of 15 months, my child was already talking and communicating his needs to us. He was able to manage a lot of basic tasks on his own. We felt he was ready for the next step and decided to enroll him in a preschool.
What were your information sources during the preschool search process? Which source was the most valuable?
I was already aware of the preschools that are in my area. I personally visited the preschools to verify the things that I had heard about them. I found this process to be quite useful as you get a feel of the place where your child is learning.
What were your 3 most important factors while choosing a preschool? Why?
Location, hygiene and teacher-student ratio were the factors that I cared about. I wanted a preschool located near by so that I could easily reach him if required. Children have quite low immunity, and if the preschool is not hygienic, my child could fall sick often. A lower teacher-student ratio would mean that my child will get personal attention — something that is important to me. I feel the preschool should be an extension of the home, and the personal, intimate setting is necessary for this.
What is the one thing that you feel you did really well during your preschool search, and other mothers should learn from you?
We spent a lot of time visiting preschools and seeing things for ourselves. It makes sense to personally verify information before making a final choice.
What changes do you see in your child after going to preschool?
After starting preschool, my child became a lot more confident and outgoing. He started to show even more independence than before.
What is your most important tip for parents to prepare their child and themselves for the first day of preschool?
Don’t try to over-plan or over-prepare. You cannot predict what will happen on the first day. Just stay calm and take things one day at a time.
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