It is any parent's joy to see their child join preschool. However, behaviour that seemed innocent and understandable -- leg clinging, crying every time you leave, and less interest in group activities -- can become a bit of a problem. While such timid behaviour may be expected of any toddler, lack of adequate preschool preparation can hurt your child's social growth. What can you do to ensure your shy child has an easy time in preschool? This article highlights simple strategies you can use to prepare your shy child for preschool.

Sign Them Up With a Friend -- When looking for a preschool centre for their child, parents look at various factors. It can range from a caregiver's experience to the variety of diets a facility provides. However, if your child is shy, then you need to look beyond these factors. Your first objective should be finding another parent with a child in your neighbourhood who wishes to enrol their child in the same preschool. Your child will be much more comfortable if they see a familiar face. There is no doubt that this can be challenging, but with patience, you will find a parent who is open to enrolling their child in the same preschool as your child.

Schedule a Tour of the School -- Once you have a school that meets your child's preschool needs, you don't have to wait until the first day of the school's calendar to introduce your child to the facility. Unfortunately, this is a common route that most parents take, and it often works against a shy child. Shy children don't often do well in new environments, and thus, their first day will be overwhelming. A better approach is to schedule a sneak peek of the school ahead of time. Introduce your child to the caregivers and other children during the day when classes are in session. Visit the playground when other children are playing and let your child participate, even if it is for a short time. Your child will still keep to themselves, but at least the staff and children will not be strangers when they officially start preschool.

Introduce Them to Crowds -- Sure, a shy child will be uncomfortable in a crowd, but this is arguably the best way to prepare them for preschool. Visit noisy places such as cafeterias, playgrounds, and even birthday parties. Over time, they will get used to and feel less intimidated by large crowds. However, you must be careful not to go overboard with this strategy because shy children need time to adjust to every new environment. Most importantly, let your child choose which crowded places they want to visit for better results. The more comfortable they are with crowds, the better they will cope in preschool.

To learn more, contact a preschool near you.