Getting my girl ready for preschool

A kindergarden operator told me that the kids who understand the concept of school will fare much better when they start preschool for the very first time.

Having heard that, I started preparing my girl for preschool months ago even though I had no intention of sending her too early. I tried to create a school environment for her. Study table and chair, white board and all and we try to sit at there for her lessons in maths, science, malays, plus arts and crafts. She totally enjoys those lessons with me and constantly asks for them because she gets my undivided attention during those lessons. (Children just like it that you spend quality time with them. Teaching them and reading to them is a good way of spending quality time and they love it!)

She has a few videos about schooling and going to school and sometimes we play pretend school. Her brother is usually involved too in these plays as the other student. To further prepare her, I gave her the impression that going to school or kindergarden is a special privelege that only older children like her (and not her brother) can enjoy.

She is prepared now, I believe. (after being brainwashed by me. lol!) When we visited a kindergarden recently she attended a trial class for an hour. She was very good. Although normally shy and clingy she did not protest when the teacher took her hand and led her upstairs to the classroom away from me. She did not say "No, I don't want to go" or "I want to go home". When I went to peep at her after half an hour later I saw that she was seated in the back row. She wasn't paying attention to what the teacher was saying but she was looking around the room curiously. Hahaha.

The teacher later gave me the feedback that she does not like to talk and doesn't want to talk to those around her. I think she just needs a little time. Afterall, she is new whereas the others are not. They have started one whole term together and are familiar to the school by now.

Later she told me that the teacher did not teach her, only the others. And when they brought her down for a snack with the other kids she said she didn't want to eat, she only wanted a drink. I do hope she can quickly adjust herself and make new friends and enjoy kindy soon. I'm planning to enrol her in one soon since she is ready now.