Preschool is rapidly becoming less of an option for children in the American school system, and more of a must. The rise of preschools in prominence has been fairly quick, and the speed with which they have risen is in part due to the recognition of their results. Preschools may not be strictly required by the American school system, but they are highly beneficial for a wide number of reasons. For one thing, they prepare children for the requirements of school, as well as the social structure of school. This will make the transition into kindergarten and beyond much easier. For another thing, they provide children with social opportunities that may otherwise be difficult to find at a young age. This means that not only will your child be potentially academically advanced, but socially advanced as well. Still, finding a preschool right for your child is no easy to ask. There are many different things to look for in a preschool, and it can be difficult to differentiate between a great preschool and a mediocre one if you’ve never enrolled a child in preschool before. Below, we’ll discuss some of the facts about a preschool education and what it gives a child — as well as things to look for in a preschool. Hopefully, this will make your search a bit simpler.
The Benefits That Preschool Can Give Your Child
Let’s look deeper into the benefits that a good preschool can give your child — and the importance of finding the right preschool early. Overall, preschools can give your child a variety of different experiences; these include but are not limited to kindergarten, nursery school, and the more conventional preschool programs that are for children between nursery school and kindergarten ages. Recently, the number of children enrolled in preschool programs rose — from 1990 to 2013, the number of children ages three to five enrolled in such programs rose from 59% to 65%. Preschool isn’t just about letting children have a fun time — it can affect grade school readiness in a major way. The benefits of academic preschool are myriad and far-reaching. It’s estimated that 25% of students are more likely to drop out of school if they didn’t get a quality preschool education. Indeed, 60% of at risk children are more likely to not go to college if they didn’t get a good preschool education. Without a quality preschool education, 70% of at risk children were more likely to be arrested for a violent crime at some point in their lives.
Things To Look For In A Preschool
Now that we understand the benefits of a preschool education, let’s move into things to look for in a preschool. One of the first things to consider is what kind of preschool you’re looking for. Many preschools come with a religious angle. There are advantages and disadvantages to this approach. But if you do require a religious preschool for your child, make that a top priority. If you aren’t religious, this approach may not be right for you. Another thing to seek out is perhaps a particular teaching style. Some prefer Montessori schools to more traditional schools. If your child has special needs, you may want to see if there are any preschools in your area especially equipped to serve those needs. Make sure that you speak to the educators at any preschools you’re considering, and perhaps speak to the director as well. Finally, tour the facilities and ensure that they are up to your standards.
Who Goes To Preschool?
Any child can go to preschool, barring a serious medical issue. Preschool is not simply for upper middle class children of two-parent homes. An estimated 45.6% of children living below the poverty line are enrolled in preschool. It’s not true that preschool has to be extremely expensive. While it’s true that some private preschools are expensive, others offer scholarships. Either way, there should be no reason why your child can’t benefit from this lovely experience.