Basic Advantages of a Preschool Education (Guest Blog)

A preschool education is going to provide a child with the foundation to learning, which is something that day care and nursery school cannot provide. The educational landscape can be difficult, especially for a child who has no social interaction or has yet to be introduced to educational aspects such as reading, writing and basic skills. With a preschool education, a child will be introduced to all aspects, preparing the child for kindergarten and elementary school.

Is preschool important?

The answer is simple, Yes. Preschool gives a child exposure to numbers, letters and shapes as well as the ability to socialize successfully. Children will learn how to get along with others, share and contribute to society. It has been proven that children who have exposure to early childhood education via a preschool program will be able to have better pre-reading skills, larger vocabulary and basic math skills that are stronger than children who do not have this experience.

Because preschool provides socialization skills, a child learns how to act in a group setting. Social and behavior skills are learned, which allows the child to focus in kindergarten, to essentially learn better. This is the beginning to laying the proper foundation for learning, throughout the school years.

What is learned during preschool?

Most preschool programs, such as the Montessori school, provide a set curriculum. Programs are created for specific age groups to blend well together and promote growth with skills that are already learned. Preschool not only helps children learn basic reading, writing and math, but also social and self-confidence skills. A child will easily gain a sense of self in a group setting by gaining the ability to explore and play with others.
In a preschool setting, a child learns how to provide for themselves by discovering they are capable of many things such as small tasks like helping with snack or cleaning work tables. Children also begin to question the world around them and begin to have a love for learning.

How Children Learn.

Each preschool program is different and will provide various methods for teaching the children in the program. Emphasis is of course on basis skills like reading and writing, but to truly teach a child, the child must be introduced to activities. This is why most schools offer interactive play. Through activities such as story time, playtime and special activities, children learn language, pre-reading skills and more. With each activity, a child can move about and figure things out on their own or with the help of other students.

Imagination and socialization are two key aspects that go hand in hand. By providing fun activities for each child to do together, each child can learn something from other students. By using their imagination, they learn how far their minds can reach and in a group setting, this can get quite interesting!

Most preschools are open to children beginning around the age of three or the potty training stage. Once a child reaches the age of two, it is best that a parent begin to look into the local preschool options. By finding a school that provides optimal learning potential, a child will be able to blossom and grow, building a strong foundation for learning. Parents can visit local preschools, interview teachers and get a sense of what the school can provide. By starting early, parents have the advantage of taking their time to find the right school for their child. Being proactive with your child’s education will only increase the potential for success within your child.

Author Bio:
Tina is an educationalist who has been studying the varied forms of child education in our country. She is an unabashed fan of the Montessori system and spends a lot of time advocating its use for better children's education.