When it comes to grade school readiness, what is the best way to prepare your child? In the midst of this technological boom, in which information is easily accessed and readily available, individuals are expected to take in more information at a much faster rate than ever before. As the job market grows increasingly competitive, higher education becomes more common and more important than in previous generations. More careers are requiring a college degree, and young people are starting to see their occupational futures as a long and laborious path to be traversed. It has become clear that the path to success begins much earlier in life, and that academic prowess and a dedicated work ethic must be cultivated and exercised like a hiker’s strong legs. As a result, many parents are choosing to give their children a head start by enrolling them in academic preschool programs to ensure grade school readiness in both social and academic areas.
Preschool has come to replace kindergarten as the first step towards success. This is now where children learn the alphabet, start to recognize sight words, learn to count, identify patterns, group similar objects, and hone their social skills with peers. It is now standard for children to be comfortable with these tasks as they enter kindergarten. Kindergarten takes these skills to the next level, and children entering the first grade are expected to have mastered basic reading techniques.
Many parents are weighing the pros and cons of starting their children in an academic preprimary program. Do kids really need to start studying at such a young age? What happened to a playful childhood? The truth is, the academic preschool curriculum uses fun and effective methods of teaching that won’t bore or intimidate your child. If you find the right preschool program, your child will be learning through play. Academic preschool activities include music, dance, art, building, and other learning games that exercise a child’s developing mind and body.
The facts about preprimary education:
- In the United States, three-fourths of young children attend a preschool program. This is a considerable number, leaving those who don’t attend preschool in the minority.
- Between 1990 and 2000, the percentage of children ages three to five enrolled in preprimary classes increased from 59 to 65%. Subsequently, the rate of college enrollment also increased dramatically.
- Approximately 60% of at-risk youth are more likely to never enroll in college if they did not receive a quality preschool education. Students who attend college often demonstrate a lifelong interest in learning, which may have started with preschool.
- A full 70% of at-risk children are more likely to be arrested for a violent crime if they did not attend preschool. Some may say that this statistic can be tied to a person’s lack of early socialization experience.
More parents are choosing preprimary education programs to give their children a head start in grade school readiness. If you take into consideration your child’s individual skills and interests, and conduct the proper research, finding the right preschool should be pretty simple.