Indisputably, it is hard to send your child to school when they are only three years old. But taking your child to school at an early age gives them a competitive advantage in life.
Based on previous statistics, children who attend preschool have higher chances of becoming successful in the future.
Typically, attending preschool helps your child develop strong social and academic skills. Thus, when they start attending school, they are likely to get higher grades.
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Preschool also prepares your child mentally for school. Below, we take a look at some of the benefits of taking your child to preschool.
Why Take Your Child to Preschool – 7 Advantages
- Development of social skills
Very few children have good social skills. This is because they spend most of their time with the people they know. When they get to preschool, they have no choice but to interact with other children from different backgrounds.
They learn how to make new friends and deal with different personalities from an early age. Moreover, preschool helps your child develop excellent communication skills.
- Improves literacy skills
Children who attend preschool usually have better literacy skills. This is because the games and activities offered in preschool are educative. For example, preschool teachers teach children to sing alphabet songs and stick magnetic numbers on the play wall.
As a result, children get to know all the letters of the alphabet and develop strong mathematical skills. Additionally, setting this foundation for children makes reading easier for them in the future.
- Preschool teaches children to be better learners
When children attend preschool, they are likely to become curious learners. This way, they’ll be more willing to ask questions where they don’t understand. Good preschools also help children to be better learners. In turn, your child will enjoy their experience in school and obtain higher grades.
- Develops strong mathematical skills
At preschool, children play games that incorporate a lot of counting. Subsequently, this cultivates strong mathematical skills in children. Therefore, your child won’t struggle with numbers later in the future.
- Improves good creativity skills
When children attend preschool, the learning they receive fuels their creativity. Naturally, the environment in preschool is uniquely designed to boost your child’s curiosity and creativity. Once your child develops good creative skills, they’ll be more independent and successful. Besides, they’ll become good problem solvers.
- Children learn to be responsible
Generally, children who attend preschool are more likely to be responsible. At preschool, teachers teach children to go to the washroom, feed themselves, wash their hands and arrange toys before the day ends. This teaches your child to take care of themselves.
Additionally, preschool teachers encourage your children to look out for each other. This makes your child kinder and more responsible.
- Better language skills
Preschool teachers also teach your children new vocabulary. Thus, they help them develop good language skills. In turn, your child develops excellent communication skills.
Some disadvantages of taking a child to preschool?
At times, taking your child to preschool may not be beneficial. So, let’s take a look at some of the disadvantages of taking a child to preschool.
Lack of One-On-One Time:
It is essential to bond with your child during the first years. Some people say that it is best to keep your child home until they get to the age of three. Keeping your child at home enables you to have one on one time with them. And this makes your child feel valued and appreciated.
On the flip side, your child is unlikely to get one-on-one time and attention when they are in preschool. Remember, one teacher in preschool needs to give their attention to multiple children at the same time. Consequently, your child won’t receive one-on-one time.
Lack of flexibility:
Most preschools don’t have a schedule that works in your favor. For example, during public holidays, preschools don’t open. Thus, you’ll still have to employ a babysitter if you have a busy schedule.
In turn, preschool may end up being more expensive than you think. Also, note that most preschools don’t open during summer.
Learning too early:
Although it is important to start educating your children early, doing this may not be good. Some children develop a negative attitude towards learning when you start engaging them too early. Consequently, they’ll end up being demotivated in school in the long run.
It is always advisable to delay introducing certain subjects to your child until they are old enough. So, before taking your child to preschool, take time to understand what the institution has to offer. Luckily, some institutions only teach what the child is interested in.
Limitations on Creativity:
Occasionally, preschool makes your children more dependent on their teachers. In turn, this limits their creativity and thinking abilities. Introducing a teacher to your child when they are very young may narrow their thinking.
However, this depends on the type of preschool. A good preschool has teachers that encourage children to become more independent.
Is it ok to skip preschool?
At the end of the day, parents have the final say on whether or not their children skip preschool. But generally, sending your child to preschool is not compulsory in the United States.
So, before taking your child to preschool, take time to weigh all the pros and cons involved in preschool. From there, it will be much easier to make a decision.
Nonetheless, when your child gets to age five, you have to take them to school. Of course, the age varies depending on your state regulations. It is perfectly fine for your child to skip preschool. If you decide not to take your child to preschool, ensure you keep them occupied with beneficial activities at home.
Also, ensure you spend one on one time with them until they are ready for school. However, if you can afford to take your child to a high-end preschool, the better. Most high-end preschools help your child develop excellent social and life skills.
Ways to keep your children occupied if you don’t send them to preschool
- Play “Don’t wake the dragon”.
Play this game if you are trying to have an afternoon nap with a two-year-old in your house. This game requires you to pretend that you are a sleeping dragon. On the other hand, your child should try to steal a specific treasure without waking you (the dragon) up.
So, they are not supposed to make any noise as they do this. If the child remains quiet as they try to steal the treasure, you’ll be able to relax.
- Use sensory bin toys
Sensory bins are fantastic toys that keep your child engaged. These bins contain ice, cold water, and hot water. Your children can play with them as they pretend to make several meals. These toys keep your children occupied, and you won’t have to worry about your child throwing tantrums during the day.
- Read bedtime stories for your children
Reading a bedtime story to your child makes them fall asleep quickly and improves their creativity. With time, your child will develop an interest in reading and even coming up with their own stories. Additionally, this improves their language skills.
- Allow your children to get creative
If possible, put up a drawing board in your child’s playroom. Here, they can color and draw whatever they want to draw. As a result, you help them improve their creativity. Alternatively, buy them a drawing or coloring book to keep them engaged.
Final Thought
Ultimately, it is not mandatory to take your child to preschool. Always weigh the pros and cons of taking your child to preschool before making your decision.