A lot of parents wonder how preschool programs can help to prepare their children for Kindergarten and later stages of schooling. The overall percentage of three- to five-year-olds enrolled in preschool programs in 2015 was higher for those children whose parents had a graduate or professional degree (48%) than for those whose parents had a bachelor’s degree (42%), an associate’s degree (37%), some college (37%), a high school credential (29%), and less than a high school credential (29%). With the prevalence of academic preschool activities available in today’s world, it can be difficult to know just how much they are able to help your child. Here are a few of the key ways in which sending your child to a preschool program can prepare them for Kindergarten and beyond.
Academic preschool activities ignite an interest in learning
Because your child will be spending lots of time in school, it’s helpful if they enjoy the learning process. Nothing quite stimulates an interest in education like sending your child to a preschool program. When a child is encouraged to learn new skills and explore different academic subjects from an early age, they are far more likely to carry this intrigue with them throughout their academic career. It all starts with choosing to make education a priority by sending your child to a preschool that prioritizes learning.
In the typical classroom environment presented in Kindergarten and grade school, it is reasonable to consider the fact that your child will be interacting with many different kinds of students and fellow classmates. People of different cultures, identities, and backgrounds are present in the average educational environment. Because of this fact, it’s a good idea to do everything you can to ensure that your child is able to socialize and integrate with all kinds of people. If they haven’t been exposed to other children of their age before, then it’s a little more challenging for them to navigate the challenges presented to them in social settings found in Kindergarten and grade school environments.
Sending your child to a preschool program will expose them to more of their peers early on. This kind of exposure helps children to develop their own voice, improve their empathy, and begin building the kinds of social skills that lead to the cultivation of friendships. As so much of school relies on a child’s social abilities, it’s a good idea to give them the space to begin socializing with others sooner rather than later. By sending your child to a preschool program, you are giving them the best chance to mold their social skills in a way that will serve them throughout their education.
Academic preschool activities provide an educational foundation
Regardless of your child’s natural talents, abilities, and skill sets, there’s no denying that there are certain academic challenges they will face once they are in Kindergarten and grade school. These kinds of challenges are to be expected, but they are best handled by children who have had the proper educational foundation set down for them in advance. Of course, how you teach your child in the home is certainly important, but sending them to academic preschool programs will provide them with the readiness they need to succeed in later stages of schooling.
An early establishment of core academic principles is perhaps the most important benefit of preschool programs. If your child has a natural talent for reading and writing, then they can discover that early on and pursue their interests there. Conversely, if they are struggling with that same subject, there are academic preschool activities that can place an added emphasis on this subject matter so that your child is prepared for the challenges that arise in Kindergarten. Regardless of your child’s individual wants and needs, there is no denying that the benefits of academic preschool are effective in establishing a sturdy educational foundation.
Are you wondering what to look for in a preschool? Are you ready to tour a preschool? Are you still wondering how academic preschool activities prepare your child for Kindergarten? No problem. You’re certainly not alone. At Learn and Grow Academy, we are happy to help you answer all these questions and more. Do not delay; getting in touch with a member of our team for more information is easy and straightforward. We’re here to help you make the best choices for your child’s education.