You and Your Preschool Child 

SM
The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 helps to

ensure that all children receive a high-quality

education and holds schools responsible for

making sure that all children are learning. The

information below is consistent with this

important law. 

Ensuring That Your Child Is Ready to Learn

Research shows that many things affect how well preschool children perform in

school, including meeting their physical needs with a healthy diet, exercise and

good medical care. Young children also need social and emotional help that will

build their confidence, independence and cooperation skills. Families of

preschoolers need to show their children how to behave by being dependable,

setting a good example and using appropriate, consistent discipline. Children

also need opportunities to play and ask questions, and to be read to and

introduced to a variety of learning activities. Allow time each day for these

things to happen in the life of your young child.

“As any mom can tell

you, a surprising

amount of progress is

made in the first three

years of life.”

—Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings
Needs of Your Preschooler

Babies need loving parents or caregivers who

respond to their cries or noises, making them feel

safe and comfortable. They need to be able to

play in safe areas, move around, play with safe

objects, and hear and make sounds.

Toddlers need opportunities to make choices

within clear and reasonable limits. They need

activities that allow them to use their muscles,

experience their senses and develop language

skills. As a toddler reaches three years old, he will

need to work with his hands, learn to do things

for himself, play with other children, continue to

learn about his body’s movements, and build his

vocabulary and knowledge about his

surroundings.

Four- and five-year-olds will require even more

opportunities to use things like books, games

and songs, and the chance to do science, math

and art activities. Families and caregivers can

find these opportunities at their local

community centers, libraries or schools.

Children need to build their self-reliance and

language skills, as well as their awareness of the

world and people around them, as they prepare

to enter school. 

“Our challenge

is to reach 

all children

early so that

every child

starts school

with the

skills needed

to learn.”

—Laura Bush
Selecting a Caregiver

The best advice is to start looking for a caregiver long before you need one. In

choosing care, you will need to: 

determine where you can find a caregiver who fits your budget; 

discover what services or agencies are there to assist you; and 

gather as much information as possible about each potential caregiver. 

No matter whom you consider, note how kind, nurturing and responsive the

provider is; the level of experience the caregiver has; and whether or not the

caregiver’s child-rearing opinions are similar to yours. And always consider your

child’s needs. The childcare place you choose should be clean, safe, comfortable

and parent-friendly, and have many books and educational toys available.

Kindergarten Tips

Visit your local public school and find out how to enroll your child in

kindergarten. Some private kindergartens have waiting lists, based on available

slots. Make sure you are aware of how to give your child the best chance to

attend the school you select by learning as much as you can about: the school,

including details about teachers; the forms that must be completed; the

kindergarten program; the school-year calendar; the type of transportation

available; the meals and snacks served; and how you can become involved in the

school’s activities. 
Partnering With Those Who Care for 

And Educate Your Child

At all stages of your young child’s growth, it is important that you stay aware of

his or her learning activities throughout the day. For working parents, this is

often difficult but made easier through open communication with those who

care for and educate your child. Make sure your caregiver has updated

information on how to contact you. Talk with the caregiver as often as possible,

even daily, to stay aware of what your child is learning and how she is behaving.

Support what is learned at the preschool or daycare with activities you and your

child do at home. This type of communication with caregivers and teachers will

not only help your child’s academic, social and emotional development, it will

also help your child feel connected to you.

Remember that every contact with your child is a learning experience and that

learning occurs in many other places besides school.

Examples of Resources 

U.S. Department of Education: www.ed.gov or

http://www.ed.gov/espanol/bienvenidos/es/index.html?src=gu

or call 1-800-USA-LEARN

Head Start Programs: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/hsb/hsweb/index.jsp 

National Association for the Education of Young Children: www.naeyc.org

National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center: www.nectac.org or

http://www.nectac.org/espanol/bienvenidos.asp 

Ready to Learn TV: http://www.pbs.org/readytolearn/ or

http://www.pbs.org/parents/siteguide/spanish/ 

NOTE: This document contains information about and from public and private entities and organizations

for the reader’s information. Inclusion does not constitute an endorsement by the U.S. Department

of Education of any entity, organization, products or services offered or views expressed. This

publication also contains hyperlinks and URLs created and maintained by outside organizations and

provided for the reader’s convenience. The Department is not responsible for the accuracy of

information found in them.