No preschool is not necessary, your child can learn the things they need to know before kindergarten and get used to the social interaction without it, but it sure makes it easier on the parent and child to do this in a preschool setting. While not necessary, there are some really big benefits to preschool. Consider the following:
There are certain skills your child needs to know BEFORE kindergarten.
You can’t expect to send your child into kindergarten with NO knowledge and have the teacher catch them up. They should be able to recognize letters and numbers, say the alphabet, know shapes etc. Preschool is a great place to start these steps. They will not necessarily be experts, but preschool is a great place to lay the groundwork of knowledge they need before they start in kindergarten.
Perfect place for social interaction.
Believe it or not, one of the hardest skills for kids entering kindergarten is working with, sharing with, and learning with other kids. Preschool is a perfect environment for helping kids learn appropriate social interaction without putting them in a situation for too long, or too much too soon. In fact, because kids need to learn certain skills and social interactions, you have two choices, find a way to help them do that yourself, by setting up playdates, teaching them and other children, or enrolling them in preschool so that they have other kids in a classroom setting that they have to get along with.
Stats show that preschool is good for kids.
Believe it or not there are a lot of studies that show increased learning and higher gpa’s etc. associated with attending preschool. It seems to give kids an edge because it allows them to start off on the right foot. In fact, studies show that if a child attends preschool before starting kindergarten they are less likely to skip a grade. It also helps them to focus on the learning, and are less distracted by other things. Another study shows that kids who attend preschool are less likely to be arrested as a juvenile.
It can help build their academic confidence, and allows them to get used to, and adjusted to the idea of attending school. Of course, if is not a good idea to send your child to preschool if your child is not ready. You need to evaluate their ability, or it might have negative effects. A good guide to go by is the potty guide. If your child can take themselves to the bathroom, wipe, flush, and pull up their own pants, they can probably handle going to preschool.
The question is, “Is preschool necessary?” And the answer is no, but if you are not going to take the time to teach your kids the basics, and help them find opportunity for social interaction, and authority outside of the parent, then you are doing them a disfavor by sending them to school unprepared.
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