As a human being, there are plenty of things that you probably don’t know. That’s just kind of the name of the game. As a parent, this is only amplified. You want what’s best for your kids, but you’re never quite sure if you’re doing things right.
This goes for everything from their diet to their education. There are a lot of things that claim to be able to help your child, and one of those things is preschool. But what is the purpose of preschool? Is it just a daycare with academics or is there more to it?
We’re going to be taking a look at this topic today in order to help you make a more informed decision about whether or not preschool is right for your child. We’re going to look at the facts so you can be sure that you’re making the best decision for your little one.
Table of Contents
What Exactly is Preschool?
If you don’t already know what preschool is, it’s going to be hard to decide if it’s right for your child. So, let’s start with the basics. Preschool is a school that children attend before they enter kindergarten. It’s usually for children who are 3-5 years old, but some schools will accept 2-year-olds as well.
The main purpose of preschool is to prepare kids for kindergarten and beyond. This includes:
- Learning how to follow rules and routines
- Developing social skills and getting along with other kids
- Learning how to share and take turns
- Listening to instructions and paying attention
These are all important skills that your child will need in order not just to do well in school, but in life in general. Without these skills, your child may have a hard time making friends or succeeding academically.
In addition to preparing them academically, preschool can also help your child emotionally and socially. For example, going to preschool can help them become more independent. This is because they’ll be away from you for a few hours each day, which can be tough at first, but it’s good for them in the long run. They’ll learn how to rely on themselves more and this will carry over into other aspects of their life.
Preschool can also help your child become more confident. When they’re in an environment with other kids and adults, they’ll learn how to interact with different types of people. They’ll also learn that it’s okay to make mistakes and that everyone is just learning and growing. This can help your child feel more comfortable in social situations and boost their self-esteem overall.
These things might not seem important now, but they’ll be vital as your child grows up. Preschool can lay the foundation for a lifetime of success, both academically and socially.
What Does Science Say About Preschool?
Now that we understand what preschool is, let’s see what the experts say about it. Some people dedicate their lives to studying education and child development, so it’s important to listen to what they have to say. After all, they know a lot more about this topic than we do.
Here are some of the things that research has shown about preschool:
- It can help close the achievement gap between wealthy and low-income students.
- One study found that children from low-income families who attended preschool were more likely to graduate from high school and go on to college than their peers who did not attend preschool.
- It can improve kids’ social skills.
- A study of 3-year-olds found that those who attended a high-quality preschool program had better social skills than those who did not attend any type of preschool program.
- It can reduce crime rates later in life.
- A large-scale study in North Carolina found that every dollar spent on early childhood education saved society seven dollars later on by reducing crime rates and increasing tax revenue (due to increased earnings).
- It can improve kids’ health later in life.
- A study of 3 and 4-year-olds found that those who attended a high-quality preschool program were less likely to be obese as adults, even when controlling for other factors such as family income.
- It can increase earnings as an adult.
- A study of 3 and 4-year-olds found that those who attended a high-quality preschool program earned an average of $21,000 more per year as adults than those who did not attend any type of preschool program.
These are just some of the benefits that have been shown in research studies. It’s important to remember that not all preschool programs are created equal, so the results may vary depending on the quality of the program. However, even if your child does not attend a top-notch program, they will still likely reap some benefits from attending preschool.
One thing to keep in mind is that most research on this topic has been conducted on high-quality programs. These are usually private or public programs that meet certain standards set by researchers or educators.
So, while it’s clear that attending any kind of preschool will be beneficial for your child, enrolling them in a high-quality program will likely give them the best chance for success later in life.
Of course, there are other factors to consider when making this decision such as cost and availability. But if you’re able to find a quality program within your budget, it’s definitely worth sending your child to preschool.
How to Know if a Specific Preschool is High-Quality
After reading the rest of this article, you might be wondering how you can tell if a specific preschool is high-quality. After all, you want what’s best for your child and you don’t want to waste your money on a program that won’t benefit them.
Here are some things to look for when researching preschools:
- Look for programs that are accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
- This is a good indicator that the program meets certain standards set by experts in the field.
- See if the teachers have Early Childhood Education degrees or credentials.
- This means that they’ve been trained specifically in working with young children and they know how to effectively teach them.
- Make sure there is a low student-to-teacher ratio.
- This allows each child to get more individualized attention from their teacher, which can be beneficial, especially for kids who might need extra help or support.
- Ask about the curriculum and make sure it’s developmentally appropriate for your child’s age group.
- The activities should be designed specifically with 3 or 4-year-olds in mind so that they’re able to learn and grow in all areas of development.
- Find out if the program uses positive discipline techniques.
- This means that they focus on teaching children what to do rather than what not to do. For example, they might praise a child for using their indoor voice instead of scolding them for being too loud.
- See if the program is affordable for your family.
- This is an important consideration, especially if you have more than one child who will be attending preschool.
These are just some of the things to keep in mind when looking for a quality preschool program. It’s also important to visit the school and talk to the teachers before making your final decision. This will give you a good sense of whether or not it’s a good fit for your child and your family overall.
It’s normal to feel overwhelmed when making this decision because there are so many factors to consider. You probably have a lot of really great choices in your area, so it might just come down to finding the best fit for your child.
If you’re still not sure which preschool to choose, you can always ask for recommendations from friends or family members who have already gone through this process. They might have some great insights that you didn’t even think to consider.
The most important thing is that you take the time to do your research and find a quality program that’s right for your child. The better fit a program is for your child, the more they’ll get out of it and the more prepared they’ll be for kindergarten and beyond.
Preparing your child for the world can feel like a daunting task, but sending them to preschool is a great place to start. It’s important to understand the purpose of preschool and what the research says about it before making your final decision.
Keep in mind that not all programs are created equal, so be sure to find one that meets your child’s individual needs. With a little bit of effort, you can give your child a head start that will benefit them for years to come.
Knowing What’s Best for Your Kid
It’s not easy to be sure that you’re always making the best choices for your children. Fortunately, you have a bit of help out there. Whether you’re a new parent or this is your fourth child, you can find a program that will be a great fit for your kid.
