Parents go out of their way to provide everything they can for their children. This means that they often worry about whether or not their kids are experiencing the world in the best way possible. Recently, there has been a growing debate about whether or not preschool is necessary for the healthy development of a child. With passionate people on both sides of the argument, it can be difficult to decipher between fact and opinion. When determining what's best for your child, there are several advantages and disadvantages to take under consideration.
Con: Varying Learning Experiences
For those opposed to placing their children in preschool, a big deciding factor is that the quality of the learning experience depends greatly on the school itself. While some preschools are teaching children valuable skills, others are simply babysitting your kids until you get off work. Staff do not always have the same training, so you might not know how the preschool experience will look for your child’s specific experience. When you’re paying for education, you want to be sure that you (and your children) are getting your money’s worth. It’s important to do research about many schools in your area before deciding on the one right for you.
Pro/Con: The Space
Also, many parents who stay at home find it difficult to be away from their children for the majority of the day. Especially at such a young age, parents want to spend as much time with their children as possible before they grow up. Until recent decades, most children across the country didn’t even attend preschool. Preschool is a newer development, which is why many parents are still hesitant to embrace it with open arms. Still, this can be a great transition for when you child is old enough to start kindergarten. Children must learn to be self-sufficient, which can be difficult when they’re never given a chance to be away from their parents.
Pro: Learning Social Skills
On the other hand, many parents see the direct benefits of preschool in the lives of their children. For example, preschool allows students to develop the social and emotional intelligence needed to function in the world. This is an opportunity for them to interact with other toddlers, learning how to communicate their desires and how to handle themselves when those desires aren’t met. Through the help of preschool teachers and aids, children are able to deal with their frustrations when things don’t go their way. Plus, healthy socialization is key to a fulfilling life, so children will be learning how the work and play with their peers.
Pro: A Head Start
Also, preschool helps prepare children for kindergarten. They are going to be dealing with a classroom setting for (potentially) the next 20+ years of their lives, so why wouldn’t you want to give them a headstart? In preschools, children learn how to listen to their teachers and how to balance leisure with responsibility. They will also be learning valuable subject matter, such as basic reading comprehension, simple mathematical equations, and shape recognition. It isn’t all fun and games: your children are learning the basics of the material that they will be studying for many years to come. This is a great way to begin.
