As you start to explore preschools, it’s important to understand how discipline is handled and how the school’s philosophy of discipline may or may not align with yours.

Here are a few questions that you might want to consider asking as you start to visit schools and schedule tours. Note: Don’t be afraid to ask the big questions.

1. How do you handle discipline?
2. What happens if my child is disruptive?
3. How do you handle biting, hitting, or punching?

You may also wish to offer specific examples of behavior you’ve seen your child or other children exhibit to understand the dynamics of how the school might treat a certain situation.

For example: John was working independently on an activity and Mary Lou came up and swiped his work off the table.

What would the teachers do?

If you feel comfortable with the answers, you may wish to inquire how you might be able to implement some of these strategies at home. If you feel uncomfortable, it’s okay to ask more questions to get a better understanding.

Apart from the critical task of making sure this preschool would be a good fit for your child and your philosophy of discipline, it’s also important to try to offer your child a unified approach between home and school.

Ask questions, decide what’s best for your family, and be ready to provide your child with a consistent and supportive environment to grow and learn!

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