Doris Herman's Preschool Primer for Parents

Veteran Washington, D.C.-area preschool teacher Herman achieves buoyant success in her aims to help parents choose an appropriate preschool for their child and to address their school-year concerns with ""insight, compassion and humor."" Covering just about every concern parents will likely encounter on the way to kindergarten, Herman explains the types of preschools available (traditional, Montessori, Waldorf, co-op, religious, etc.), examining what different kinds of schools offer socially and academically. In concise question-and-answer format, she covers safety, discipline, the parent-teacher relationship and other topics, urging parents to visit schools in advance and to get to know the director and the school's policies and philosophies. In a reassuring tone, Herman provides tips on how to prepare both parent and child for the separation triggered by the child's going to school. Thoughtful suggestions on how to ease the transition during the initial days and weeks of school include her ""less is more"" recommendation that parents not focus too heavily on the upcoming first day. An especially useful ""What If"" section responds to questions ranging from ""What if my child hits or bites?"" to ""What if my child suddenly refuses to go to school?"" Herman's sensitivity and her hands-on classroom perspective make this guide a valuable resource for first-time parents. (Aug.)