Do Kids Need Preschool?
Kids grow up fast. You might still be changing diapers, but the next thing you know, they will be graduating high school. It happens so fast, and it's justified that you want to spend more time with your child. But is it time to let them go to preschool? That's up to you. However, here are some benefits of a preschool program.
Social and Emotional Development
In preschool, kids learn to interact with other kids and teachers. They learn everything from respect to compromise and self-confidence. They can also learn this at home, but it may be more effective when they're exposed to a larger group of kids.
In most cases, children may only have a few siblings and their own parents to interact with and learn from. Occasionally, you'll take them to the playground to interact with other kids, which isn't necessarily the same as a preschool setting.
In school, they'll learn to learn a few things by watching their peers accomplish the same things. They'll learn to talk and behave by listening to their peers. They'll learn to share, care, and interact with others by watching and practicing with other children their age.
Learn Numbers and the Alphabets
Your kids can learn the alphabet and numbers at home. However, at a preschool, they can do it with other kids at their own pace. They can play games to help them remember numbers and the alphabet.
Your kids will learn songs to help remember the days of the week, months, letters, parts of the body, and many other things besides.
Learn to Be Part of a Group
You can teach your kids numbers, letters and all kinds of skills at home. In theory, your child should be fine when you eventually take them to school. Some even think that their kids will be ahead of the rest when they join a school as kindergarteners.
However, you'll soon realize that it's not that easy. A child in preschool has learned to be part of a class, a group and to obey rules set by the school. These are skills that your kids will need as they navigate through elementary and all the way to college.
Yes, you can replicate some or most of the things a preschool teacher does in a preschool setting. However, there is more to preschool than just teaching. Your kids will learn routines, responsibility, manners, and embrace diversity.