As children progress from the infant stage to the toddler stage, many parents begin to consider preschool education. A preschool education is a great way to prepare a child for elementary school. Children who are given the opportunity to participate in a school setting before beginning elementary school have experience as well as the beginning foundations of education.
Building the Foundation of Education
Many parents question whether preschool is needed or is right for their child. It can be very difficult for a parent to enroll a child in preschool, especially if the child has been strictly under the care of the parent. However, studies have shown that a structured preschool environment can provide children with the foundation of learning, sharing, following instructions and more. These simple aspects help a child to easily succeed during the beginning of elementary education.
How does preschool prepare my child for kindergarten?
Every year, kindergarten becomes more academic and children must learn and understand certain aspects to even be enrolled. Parents have found that preschool provides the knowledge and experience for children to be ready for kindergarten. Children begin to learn their numbers and letters, even develop reading skills during kindergarten to gain the academics to put them ahead when starting kindergarten.
Some parents feel as though their child does not need to learn match or reading and kindergarten is the perfect time for this to take place. Parents feel preschool and day care should be a time of fun and play. All of which is partially true. A top quality preschool will provide a structured balance of both. Allowing for playtime as well as educational opportunities will give the child the building blocks to the foundation of learning.
Will my child really benefit from a high quality preschool education?
Many parents wonder if their child can actually benefit from a high quality preschool education. Top notch facilities provide quality care, learning and fun and this can be a perfect combination to prepare your child for kindergarten and beyond. To be successful, teachers and care givers will need to be able to understand the specific ways that children develop at a young age. With this knowledge, teachers will be able to provide structured activities that will help a child to develop properly.
Stimulating Social and Emotional Development
Most two and three year olds spend the majority of their time with family, usually the parents. It is essential that a child be introduced to other adults as well as children to learn how to develop emotionally and socially. Preschool promotes both developmental aspects and will help your child to develop trust in adults that are outside of the family. Children will also be able to develop socially with other children, learning how to share and get along with others.
Top quality day care and preschool programs will provide a nurturing environment where children are able to build quality relationships with teachers, other children as well as their parents. When care is consistent between the home and preschool, children are able to thrive. This is why it is important to choose a top quality school that offers quality teacher/parent relationships. With young children, all care givers should be involved and work together to ensure the child is growing and being productive. Daily reports between the care giver and the parent are essential to understanding how the program is affecting and helping each child.
Three and four year olds are very impressionable. This is why selecting a quality preschool is so important. A child must be in a caring and nurturing environment, gaining a positive experience with child care and education, so they can succeed during the elementary education years. These are the most formative years of a child and a preschool must be chosen carefully to provide maximum results.
Michelle Patterson loves children. She is always looking for ways to ensure they grow up to be mature human beings. She strongly believes that the first few years of education builds a strong foundation for a child’s education.