There are many benefits to sending your child to preschool. Preschool creates a foundation for a child’s education and helps to develop important skills needed for success in school. Creating a stimulating environment for your child will go a long way in their little lives.
The benefits of sending your child to preschool are undeniable. Your child will learn important skills and be one step closer to a successful education. Preschool is a great investment in your child’s future.
Academically Speaking
One of the most important is that it prepares children for kindergarten. According to the National Association for the Education of Young Children, “Preschool education programs play a critical role in preparing children for success in kindergarten and beyond.”
In addition, it helps children develop pre-reading skills, such as phonemic awareness (the ability to hear the individual sounds in words) and vocabulary. Children who attend preschool are also more likely to be reading on grade level by the time they reach third grade.
Preschool can also help prepare children for future math skills. In fact, a recent study published in the journal Science found that children who attended preschool were more likely to do well in math when they got to elementary school.
Social and Emotional Skills
In addition to academics, social and emotional skills are also important for success in school. Social and emotional development begins early in a person’s life. This is when children begin to recognize their own identity, emotions, and expectations while interacting with others. It’s when they learn how to create and maintain excellent relationships; experience, control, and communicate feelings.
Preschool teaches them how to interact with others, cooperate, and problem solve. Preschool can also help children learn about themselves and their place in the world.
According to Dr. Steven Schlossman, a professor of sociology at Carnegie Mellon University, “Preschool is the one time in life when you can be with people from different backgrounds, learn to get along with them and not have it be a problem.”
They learn how to handle their feelings, set goals, and persevere through setbacks.
Independence
Preschool can also help children develop a sense of independence. They learn to do things for themselves and become more confident in their abilities. Even when it makes life more difficult for their parents, preschool-aged children enjoy doing things for themselves. Here are some pointers to help your toddler develop self-reliance while keeping your aggravation to a minimum.
For small youngsters, learning to stick to routines is one approach to gain more self-reliance.
- Jacket off
- then shoes
- hang up backpack
- wash hands after returning home from school
Allow children to participate in small parts of the regimen, such as undressing their coat. They’ll be able to complete the whole process on their own eventually. By sending them to preschool, children will have to be on a routine and begin to learn how to do some of these things without the help of their teacher. Watching the other children and being given opportunities for independence, will likely result in a more independent child.
Friendships
Preschool can also be a time when children make some of their first friends. They learn how to socialize and cooperate with others. This can help them form strong friendships later in life.
Finding the Right Preschool
The best way to find out if preschool is right for your child is to visit a few different programs and see what they have to offer. Talk to the teachers and see if your child would be a good fit for the program. Consider accreditated preschools. You can do a quick check, here, for accredited preschools.
If you decide that preschool is the right choice for your child, be sure to choose a program that will challenge them and help them grow. There are many great programs out there, so don’t hesitate to do your research.
Conclusion
When it comes to making the decision of whether or not to send your child to preschool, there are many factors to consider. But, the benefits of sending your child to preschool are undeniable. Your child will learn important skills and be one step closer to a successful education. Preschool is a great investment in your child’s future.