The fact is that we don’t know as much as we should about preschools. For many Americans, preschools don’t seem accessible to the average people. We have a perception that preschools are for children of upper middle class couples only. Not only is this not the case, but many preschools are not only affordable but for some government-subsidized. In an increasingly competitive academic world, preschool is no longer an if for children, but a must. You must go to preschool in order to get the education that you need, and the effect can be much greater than that. Academic preschool programs don’t just get children ready for school — they also make them less likely to suffer from certain personal issues that often plague at risk children later in life. Therefore, children who are considered traditionally “at risk” not only can go to preschool, but really should. Finding the right preschool can be difficult but is ultimately worth it. A preschool is about getting your child ready for back to school before they even have to worry about it — and providing them with great social opportunities at the same time. With that being said, let’s look into what a high quality education from academic preschool programs can really offer your child.
1. Grade School Readiness
A major issue facing many American children is that they just can’t face the pressure of academic life even from a young age. Why is this? Some would say it’s because they weren’t prepared for grade school properly. Certainly, some grade schools are more rigorous than others, but all require a certain standard that is proven through testing. The more potential your child shows at a young age, the better they will be able to perform in school. For that matter, a more academically gifted child will be put into gifted programs from a young age and thus receive a better education. It’s a sort of domino effect. Academic preschool programs give children certain advantages that they will need for grade school. Even if your child is naturally academically gifted, getting used to that academic environment — easing them into it — can be great for their self esteem. In terms of school, you want and need to give your child every possible benefit and advantage — consider academic preschool programs the best possible advantages your child can receive from an early age.
2. Social Experience
A great social environment can do wonders for a child. Having friends can help them relax in school, while at the same time perform well. Going to preschool makes it easier for children to make friends at a young age. Even if those friends don’t follow them into grade school, they’re taking the time to learn how to make them, and that in itself is valuable. Children need to learn social skills, and preschool is a great time to do that. Children are in a safe space in preschool, being watched by their teachers, and are less prone to the “cattiness” of older children. By learning manners and social cues in preschool, they will hopefully be less likely to exhibit that kind of behavior later on in their academic careers.
3. Preschool Can Better Your Child’s Future
Eventually, children do grow up — but what happens during their childhood can seriously affect their future. Many people need to realize that the more children have an advantage in their young lives, the more that will affect them throughout life. The proof is in the facts. It’s estimated that 25% of at risk children are more likely to drop out of high school if they didn’t have a preschool education. Furthermore, 60% of at risk children are believed to go on to not finish college without a quality preschool education, and 70% of at risk children without a quality preschool education go on to be arrested for violent crimes. With facts like these, the benefits of preschool are undeniable.