Although it may seem all fun and games, preschool is one of the most important times in a child’s development. It is the foundation for future years of schooling and an opportunity for the child to socialize in a new environment. Up to the ages of three and four, learning and development occur at home with parents and other family members. However, after this point, parents should allow their children to go out into the world and interact with new people. This will benefit both parties in the long run by decreasing separation anxiety.

Preschool is the perfect opportunity for little ones to learn life skills like sharing, communicating, and making friends. The classroom environment will require them to play and learn in a fun but structured way. This could include periods of group activity such as “circle time” or more individual periods such as “coloring time.” Young children will also need to take care of themselves and their belongings with practices like washing their hands and picking up dirt. Although formal education may not have started, fun activities like “story time” and simple math puzzles expose little ones to letters and numbers. Playing with different toys contributes to the continuous development of motor skills.

Parents are strongly encouraged to schedule visits to preschools. The following is a list of things to consider when choosing a program.

Effective Communication: You should expect the teacher and the school to keep you updated on your young child’s progress.

Cleanliness – The learning environment should be adequately clean and safe according to your standards.

Disciplinary Policy: You must know and agree to the way the school handles reinforcement and punishment of behavior.

Curriculum – Review the curriculum to determine how beneficial it will be for your child. What kinds of activities will they do on a day-to-day basis?

Credentials: What type of training or certification have teachers received? Ask to visit a classroom during class to get an idea of ​​how the teachers will interact with the children.

Schedule – Depending on your work schedule, will the school be able to accommodate your child? What is the policy if you are late to pick them up?

Cost: Evaluate the various options and determine if you are willing and able to contribute additional funds in favor of a private program. If not, look for the government-funded Head Start program.

Although it may seem like a daunting task, choosing the right preschool for your family is critical to your child’s development. Recent studies have shown that people enrolled in pre-K are more likely to do well in school and get better jobs, and are less likely to commit crimes in the future. Take time to research programs in your area and talk with other parents to get their opinions and recommendations.