Preschool provides children and families with many benefits. Preschool can be a source of daycare while grown ups are working or a break in the day for a busy mom.
Preschool can help prepare your students for their schooling future and life long learning. A preschool environment for 3-5 year olds is more than learning academic disciplines such as, letters, numbers, colors and shapes. These are important and a part of daily routines however, preschool is about much more than letters and numbers. The social interactions during blocks, dramatic play and other centers are the foundation that they will build relationships on their entire lives.
Why not just teach your child at home? Staying home with a family member is a great option but one aspect of preschool, I believe, is very important is the peer interactions. In preschool we work on social emotional skills, at preschool they get a chance to practice everyday with their peers. We are practicing asking for a turn or expressing feeling to other children in their age group going through the same feelings. Preschool can foster curiosity and growth in children beyond academic standards that will direct their path far past 5 years old.
Kindergarten readiness includes calming down, asking for turns and listening to books not just letters and number recognition. Preschool is an important step for 3-5 year olds to ready for their future.
By Lauren Durkalski
Preschool Administrator