If you wait until kindergarten to start your child in formal education, your child may already be behind. Studies show the benefits of early childhood education for children who go to preschool have a head start on those who do not.
Short-Term Benefits of Early Learning
There are immediate benefits when providing your child with an early learning opportunity to close the preschool gap. One of the best reasons to go this route is to introduce your child to formal learning.
While much of the learning is done through play, it still has a purpose. Your child will develop an understanding of the difference between play and learning play. They will also have the chance to learn in a group and become comfortable with the school setting.
Learning is easier for young children whose brains absorb all the information they can. A report by the National Center for Education Statistics show 65 percent of children between four and five could recognize shapes and numbers. Other preschool vs. no preschool statistics support this finding. Preschool age children are often readier to learn than what parents might expect.
Long-Term Benefits of Preschool
There are long term benefits of early childhood education as well as short-term. It is important because it sets them up for success through their 12 years of school. They can develop a positive view about learning and understand that it is fun and a necessary part of life. It erases the feeling of being behind classmates who have had formal learning. It also helps erase the preschool achievement gap.
You cannot overlook the value of self-confidence in children. A child who knows the alphabet, how to write their name, and count will enjoy going to school more. If they struggle in kindergarten, chances increase they will continue to do so as they grow.
How Early is Too Early?
If you are looking for a trustworthy preschool in Wilmington, you may wonder when you should start. Even working parents hesitate to put their little one in daycare. Many opt for a relative to provide care instead. While there is nothing wrong with that, it’s never too early to introduce your child to early childhood education programs.
Caregivers who work in these centers are trained in different ways to incorporate learning in play for all ages. They know which toys are educational, as well as which activities are helpful in developing learning and motor skills.
Even if you choose to keep your little one at home for the first years, it can be beneficial to allow them to attend preschool. This can be part-time when they get to be two or three years old. They will learn how to get along with others and how to learn in a group setting. It will be less of a shock once they are old enough to attend kindergarten.
Identify Problems
Some children struggle with learning. This can cause issues when they get into the school setting. When a child attends an early education center to close the preschool gap, the teachers can recognize issues. They can help children overcome the issues. Teachers can inform the parents and give them resources about the learning difficulty. Studies show that the earlier you can diagnose a learning problem or delay, the quicker a child can get back on track.
Even parents who are hands-on with their child’s learning may not be aware of delays. This is because they have no one to compare them to. Educators are trained to look for signs of problems in learning. They can address them before they become major obstacles. They may need medical intervention or one-on-one learning to help them move forward. But it can prevent bigger struggles when they get into elementary school.
When considering where to place your little one for care, consider all the benefits that early learning centers provide. They not only help your child develop important learning and social skills as a baby or preschooler, they prepare them for their years in school and beyond. Most parents want to give their children a head start in life, and an early childhood education accomplishes that goal.
It’s interesting to learn that when it comes to a kid going to preschool that there are benefits of them going to it at the proper time. I like how you mentioned that when it comes to long-term benefits that this will help them be able to develop a positive view of learning and understand that it is fun and something that is a part of life. This is something I will keep in mind as my son gets closer to the age where he needs to go so that I will be able to be okay with him going.
I’ve heard that preschool can be beneficial, but I’ve never heard anything specific. It makes sense that it would give them an opportunity to get used to learning before they go into real school! Maybe I should have my son go into preschool, since he’ll be going to kindergarten next year.
I never thought about the help my child could get if I took them to preschool. It is true that a teacher would be able to see if they have any issues, and help them overcome them before going to kindergarten. That would be a great benefit to have them go. Thank you for the information!
Preschool sounds like a great idea. I love the fact that it can help kids all the way through 12th grade, too. My son is getting old enough to go, so I think we’ll find a preschool for him to attend.
I love that you talked about the benefits of attending preschool, like the fact that one cannot overlook the value of self-confidence as children grow up and start exploring the world around them. It’s vital to be able to get them started as early as possible so that if there are any developmental delays that are noticeable, the parents can be informed so that these concerns can be addressed. I’m looking into considering sending my young son to a preschool, so that when the time comes that they have to properly enroll in kindergarten, they wouldn’t be overwhelmed with everything that they’re experiencing all at once.