Many parents regard preschool as a way for their child to get a one-up on the other kids.  Preschool isn’t an rigorously academic, but it will give your child some basic knowledge such as colors, numbers and shapes which will help in kindergarten.

 

In addition to the invaluable academic knowledge that is gained preschool such as numbers and the sounds certain letters make, preschool is also important in that it is your child’s first time in a social setting with kids his/her age.  This is a major advantage going into kindergarten.

 

Another benefit of preschool is that your child had the chance to form friendships and experience what is was like to have a friend his own age.  Since your child likely went to preschool every day or every other day, your child had the chance to see these friends on a regular basis and talk with them.  This goes a long way in how your child will perform in kindergarten socially.

 

So by now you’re panicking, “I didn’t send my child to preschool, will she be an outcast in kindergarten?”  Of course not.  Just because your child hasn’t had any formal interaction with children her own age doesn’t mean she will be a lifelong introvert.  If you didn’t send your child to preschool but instead opted to let them interact in other ways (dance, crafts, swimming, library readings) with preschoolers, your child should be just fine.  As long as your child knows the basis of talking with other children and knows how to act socially, they should have no problem in kindergarten.

 

Another thing that parents bring up on a regular basis is “I didn’t go to preschool, why should I send my child?”  The answer is actually quite simple.  In the past 40-50 years, preschool has gone from a thing that only a few children go to to something that most 3-4 year olds will go to.  True, your child will learn the same thing in kindergarten no matter what they did in preschool, and also true is that preschool isn’t required to get into kindergarten.  But don’t you want to do your child a favor and send them to preschool where they will learn the valuable social and academic skills required to excel in kindergarten?

 

If your child hasn’t gone to preschool, make sure they have had interactions with children their age and know some basic things like colors, shapes and a few letters.  If your child has gone to preschool, chances are they will already be masters at these things.

 

You may also find interesting:

  1. Preschool, Good or Bad?
  2. Separating from your Preschooler
  3. Cliques in Preschool, The Sad Reality
  4. How to boost a confidence of your preschooler?
  5. How your Preschooler can like Math

Filed under: Socializing

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