Many people are on the fence about sending their children to preschool care. It can be costly and time-consuming, so some parents are skeptical about its role in the lives of their kids. However, though it’s a relatively new concept, preschool can prove to be very beneficial to young minds. Let’s examine some of the ways in which advanced education works its magic.
It’s a chance for your children to grow.
Often, preschool is an experience like no other for your children. Being in a classroom setting is a great way for them to expand their understanding of the world around them. Children learn from teachers and other students about what life will expect from them as they move toward adulthood.
It’s great preparation for kindergarten.
School takes some getting used to. Preschool care for ages three and four can be a great way to dip your child's toes in the water. While there, students will get a taste of an educational environment, learning how school will treat them. Through a mixture of learning and playtime, preschool serves as a bridge between home life and an academic career.
It fosters good socialization habits.
Possibly the most beneficial aspect of preschool is that it places your children around other students their own age. This will teach them how to interact with others while they make new friends. The social skills that they will be demonstrating will carry with them as they find themselves in more complex social settings.
It promotes structure.
Even if your time at home isn’t chaotic, preschool follows a concrete schedule that promotes stability for children. Whether they’re learning their shapes or engaging in naptime, students know exactly what is expected of them at any given moment. Preschool care will help them as they move into more structured settings, as well as teach them how to manage their own time.
It allows children to be independent.
When children are in preschool, they have to make their own choices, which may not be the case in other areas of their lives. In order to make informed decisions, students will have to think about the consequences of their actions. Preschool teachers often offer options to children, so they have to weigh the differences between them.
It teaches children to be responsible.
Students learn how to pick up after themselves and how to take care of other responsibilities. Instead of having a room to themselves, they will be forced to share it with others, taking on the task of making everyone in a group happy. They will also have to follow the protocol set in motion by the specific preschool.
It builds language development.
As children hear more words, they use more words. Whether it’s from the teacher, other students, or a book they’re reading, your child will be strengthening their vocabulary. Between the ages of 3 and 5, vocabulary is said to nearly triple, so it’s important to expose children to many words at that stage of development.
It creates curiosity.
Preschool care gets children interested in learning. Compared to later school experiences, the stakes are relatively low, so they can appreciate the beauty of a science experiment without the pressure to score a high grade on it. Children will be introduced to many new concepts during their time in preschool, and they are bound to latch onto some of them.
It teaches children basic reading and math skills.
Many children don’t have the necessary quantitative and literacy skills when entering kindergarten. Preschool helps to bridge the gap, providing students with the basics of these skill sets while still promoting the joy of learning.
It helps strengthen motor skills.
Preschool is active, so your children around ages three and four will be developing coordination. Everything from climbing the slide to using scissors strengthens your child’s motor skills and prepares them for interacting with the world around them.
