Parenting in 2025 feels like a never-ending pressure cooker. Between viral TikTok hacks, endless mom forum debates, and titas casually comparing milestones over kare-kare and kakanin at family gatherings, it’s easy to feel like you’re behind. Should your toddler already know the alphabet? Sing “Bahay Kubo” by heart? Or at least sit through an online class without turning the crayons into toys?
Here’s the truth. Preschool readiness has nothing to do with raising a mini genius. According to Teacher Tina Zamora — progressive school directress, parenting expert, and founder of Nest School for Whole Child Development in Quezon City — readiness isn’t even the real measure. Age is.
“If you want them to go to preschool, there’s no readiness involved. It’s just age,” she says.
With over 500,000 Facebook followers, Teacher Tina has become a trusted voice for practical, research-based parenting advice. In this interview, she breaks down what parents should know about preschool age, separation anxiety, and how to pick the right school, even if your child doesn’t tick every “readiness” box.
So before you panic-buy flashcards or force-feed ABC songs, let’s dive into the real signs your child is good to go and what you can do if they’re still glued to your hip like a lost kid at Divisoria.
Preschool Age Reality Check: Why It’s Not About Checklists
Source: Teacher Tina Zamora/Facebook
Teacher Tina wants to clear something up: preschool age matters more than any arbitrary list of skills. “As long as you’re five, you are ready [for kindergarten]. You will learn the skills when you are in kinder,” she emphasizes.
Here’s the breakdown:
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Under 5 years old? That’s preschool. (Whatever the school calls it — nursery, pre-K, toddler class.)
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At 5? That’s kindergarten, and you officially enter the DepEd system with a learner’s reference number (LRN).
What you really need is not a genius child but a preschool that meets kids where they are. “So, for example, gusto mo nang pumasok ang anak mo at three years old, maghahanap ka ng preschool that caters to a three-year-old,” Teacher Tina says.
Preschool Age vs. Skill Lists
Forget the pressure to master numbers and letters before preschool. Teacher Tina points out, “I believe the skills that you need to enter preschool are executive function. Meaning soft skills, life skills na dapat na-establish sa bahay. But in terms of cognitive concepts, they learn that in school.”
Source: NEST
Quick explainer: Executive function is basically your child’s brain CEO — it’s all about self-control, problem-solving, following directions, and being able to adapt when plans change (yes, like when it’s time to share toys or wait for their turn on the swing).
Meanwhile, cognitive concepts are the academic things — numbers, letters, colours — the stuff that schools are literally there to teach. So don’t stress if your three-year-old isn’t writing their name yet.
What helps at home?
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Potty training (or at least having a plan with the teacher).
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Daily routines. Kids thrive when there’s a predictable structure.
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Minimal gadgets. Overexposure shortens attention spans.
“100% of the time, when I ask them to remove or lessen the gadget — and this is the only thing I can say 100% of anything — everything gets better when you remove it. Mahirap talaga kasi most of them, nabigay na. Nabigay mo na yung gadget eh, tapos babawiin mo.” she says.
Yes, taking away the iPad will feel like World War III for a few days — but your child’s focus will thank you.
Preschool Age and Separation Anxiety… Who’s Really Ready?
If your child is at preschool age, they’re ready. What might not be ready is the environment or the parents themselves.
“It’s all marketing na lang. Your child is ready. As long as they’re 5, they’re ready for kinder. As long as they’re 3, they’re ready for preschool. As long as they’re 2 years old, they’re ready for a toddler class,” says Teacher Tina. The real magic lies in home-school alignment — when both sides are working toward the same goals.
Source: ABS-CBN Lifestyle
“Ang gusto ko lang i-prepare ng mga magulang pag pinapadala nila ang mga anak nila sa school actually are themselves.”
Here’s a plot twist. It’s usually the parents who need prep work. “Are you ready to see them cry? Are you ready to let go?” Teacher Tina asks. Crying at drop-off is perfectly normal. “It doesn’t mean something is wrong. In fact, kids often stop crying once parents leave,” she explains.
Parent-tested tips:
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Say goodbye and leave. Lingering makes it worse.
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Switch drop-off duties. Some kids cry less with their dad or another caregiver.
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Stay positive about school. Your child senses your energy.
The Harder Conversations
If your child is at preschool age but struggling, it’s worth exploring why. Teacher Tina cites three top issues:
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Emotion regulation challenges (linked to gadgets and a lack of real-world play).
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Not being read to. “Parents rely on screens instead of reading aloud — we see the difference in class immediately,” she says.
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Denial about learning disabilities.
“Even if we recommend a visit to a developmental pediatrician, hindi sila pupunta because of personal reasons, and then magtataka sila kung bakit hindi nakaka-cope yung anak nila sa eskwelahan,” she stresses. And yes, schools have a legal obligation to be inclusive, but they can only help if parents partner with them.
What to Pack and What to Ditch
Source: iStock
Leave the gadgets at home. “Dapat hindi. Dapat wala sana,” says Teacher Tina. Instead, bring:
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A snack. Hunger often masquerades as a tantrum.
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Water. Dehydration can make kids cranky.
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An extra set of clothes. Because play (and getting muddy) is the curriculum.
Choosing the Right Preschool for Your Child
When picking a school, remember:
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Credentials matter. “Parents should check who they’re listening to on social media or at schools. It’s easy to be swayed by someone who sounds confident but has no professional training,” Teacher Tina warns.
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Ask about separation anxiety policies. Do teachers help children feel secure?
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Confirm the curriculum. Progressive schools like Nest focus on all domains — cognitive, socio-emotional, verbal, physical, and creative.
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Check potty-training and routine policies. A school that works with you is a keeper.
Handa Na Ba Si Baby o Ikaw Lang Ang Hindi?
Parenting may not come with a handbook, but you don’t have to navigate the preschool years blindly. The truth is, no parent ever feels fully “ready” — and that’s okay. What matters most is that you’re open to learning, growing, and letting your child experience the world with curiosity and confidence.
Teacher Tina Zamora has made it her mission to bring clarity to the chaos of modern parenting. With her progressive yet practical advice, she helps parents cut through the noise of conflicting tips and outdated myths. Her mantra? Parenting should be research-backed, realistic, and rooted in love.
If you’re looking for a school that values your child’s whole development — not just their ability to memorise numbers and letters — you might want to explore Nest School for Whole Child Development in Quezon City. Since 2001, Nest has championed progressive education in the Philippines, focusing on every aspect of a child’s growth: cognitive, emotional, physical, creative, and social.
Because let’s be real, preschool age readiness isn’t about your child flawlessly belting out the ABC song or counting to 50. It’s about you — yes, you, the parent — learning to loosen that death grip, allow a few playground bruises, and accept that a little dirt under their nails is a sign of a good day, not bad parenting.
When you trust the process and partner with teachers who know what they’re doing, you’re not just prepping your kid for school drop-offs and snack time. You’re shaping a tiny human who can handle life — tantrums, teamwork, and all. And honestly, isn’t that the kind of homework we should all be doing?
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