Kids who attend preschool are put in a much better position to succeed in their schooling throughout their childhood. Studies show they are more likely to graduate high school and go to college. They are also wind up being healthier and make more money than those who did not attend preschool or other early education programs.
What are the Benefits of Attending Preschool?
Preschool lays a foundation of skills children need to succeed in school and in life, such as working with others, sharing, cooperation, and communication. It is the time to set good learning habits that transfer from grade to grade as your child advances through the school system.
What Can You Look for To See If Your Child is Ready to Attend Preschool?
There is no formula or checklist to see if your child is ready for preschool, but there are some signs to look for and guidelines to follow when making that determination.
Potty Trained
Some preschools will allow for preschoolers who have not been potty trained, but that is generally a good sign your child is not quite ready for formal schooling. Sending your child to preschool in diapers can put extra pressure on them from the start.
Independence
Preschoolers are expected to be able to handle a certain amount of personal activities and needs on their own. Your child should be able to wash up on their own and eat without help, for example.
Plays Well With Others
For kids who have not had the opportunity to interact with others as a member of a group, it may be a rough adjustment to have to work and play well with others. It is one of the skills that preschool helps to hone, but not all children become ready at the same time.
What Happens If Your Child is Not Ready for Preschool?
It is better to wait until your child is ready than to put them in a position where they are not able to get what they can out of preschool. If you enroll your child in preschool too soon it can be stressful and set up a negative connotation to going to school.
While attending preschool has many benefits and advantages to your child’s development, it will not necessarily push them forward academically. Preschool is much more for learning socialization skills. If your child is delayed in starting preschool, that does not mean they will be falling behind the rest of their age group when it comes to reading or other academic pursuits.
Covenant Schools is Child Care Aware© Certified
At Covenant Schools, we are committed to making sure your children are always learning, safe, and loved during their time at Covenant Schools. Each child care aware© certified program promotes their God-given curiosity and desire to learn, allowing them to develop healthily through every stage of childhood. Let us welcome you and your child to Covenant Schools, the Christian preschool and child care Albuquerque loves.
For complete information and to schedule a tour of our facilities, contact Covenant Schools today.