Starting Preschool: Are You Doing the Right Thing?

You’ve searched and searched and finally found that seemingly perfect preschool to send your child to, and just as you’re about to hit the enroll button you start to hesitate.

Starting preschool: Are you doing the right thing?

YOU KNOW THAT EARLY EDUCATION IS IMPORTANT

You understand that an early education is important in helping your preschooler:

1. Prepare For Kindergarten

Going to preschool can help prepare your child for kindergarten by easing them into the idea of education. Preschools often offer 2 or 3 day programs, and even half days, so your preschooler can get used to the idea of being away every weekday.

2. Develop A Love Of Learning

Preschools focus on developing skills using a variety of play based activities. When your child is introduced to learning in a fun way, they are more likely to develop a love for it.

3. Build Language Skills

Interacting with adults and children on a regular basis can help your child develop their language skills, and learn how to better express themselves.

4. Promote Curiosity

A preschool environment is set up to promote curiosity and imagination. Through different hands-on activities your child will be able to satisfy all of their curiosities about the world.

5. Help Social Development

Your child needs to learn things like sharing, following directions, patience, respect, and empathy. Fortunately, so do all of the other children in preschool, and they can all learn these skills by playing together.

6. Develop Motor Skills

In preschool your child will get plenty of opportunities to play outside, and dance, and get all of their energy out, all of which help your preschool develop important motor skills.

7. Create Independence

Going to preschool can help your child learn independence, and make being away from you all week for kindergarten a little bit easier. They will also learn to solve problems and make friends without your guidance, which is a necessary part of growing up.

YOU CAN’T TEACH THESE THINGS AT HOME

If you’re unable to, or simply don’t want to be the one to teach your child these skills at home, then it’s definitely a great choice to send them to preschool. However, attending preschool is not mandatory, and if you have the desire to teach your child at home you can absolutely do so.

At home, your options are limitless as far as the curriculum you teach your child. You may find a done for your curriculum to follow, piece together your own on Pinterest, or just simply wake up and wing it. As long as you find fun, hands-on ways to keep your preschooler’s mind and body engaged, then you can prepare them for kindergarten.

If you’re interested in teaching your preschooler at home and you’re unsure where to start, check out our article YES, YOU CAN TEACH YOUR CHILD.

IT’S WHAT YOU FEEL IS BEST

At the end of the day, whatever you feel is best for your child is the right thing. Every child learns at a different pace, and in different ways. What works for one child may not work for the next, and you know your child best.