As your child approaches school age, it’s important to consider childcare and preschool options that give them their best start to lifelong learning. Here are three ways that a preschool program (like the one at Children’s Academy Childcare and Preschool!) can benefit your child.
1. Preschool Gives Children Quality Playtime with Peers
Playtime at home and playtime with peers are completely different. With peers, children are able to explore and play at greater levels than playing alone or with siblings. Preschool play activities give opportunities for children to develop gross and fine motor skills alongside their friends. Peer playtime also helps children develop essential skills for school such as executive functioning.
2. Preschool Encourages Social and Emotional Development
As children play and explore together, they encounter an array of social and emotional challenges and obstacles. Establishing social and emotional development before kindergarten can help ease your child’s transition to a school environment and foster a better learning experience.
“Preschool provides a safe but challenging environment for children to learn how to manage the loss of a toy to another child during play or sit quietly and listen to a short story without interrupting,” President of Amslee Institute Elizabeth Malson says. “These experiences help them explore different feelings and create the foundation for self-regulation.”
3. Preschool Teaches Children to Follow Directions
Children enrolled in a preschool program are given opportunities to practice following directions–a skill that is crucial in kindergarten and beyond. Whether it’s staying in a straight line, raising your hand before asking a question, or the rules of a group game, preschool lets your child practice following directions so they can be successful in school.
These are just a few ways that enrolling your child in a quality preschool program can help prepare your child for school. Children’s Academy Childcare and Preschool is proud to offer an outstanding curriculum that is educational, fun, and prepares your child for kindergarten per state educational standards.
If you’re looking to give your child a head start in school, contact Children’s Academy Childcare and Preschool today!