According to the Current Population Survey, the percentage of 3 and 4-year old children enrolled in preschool fell 14 points in 2020, down from 54 percent in 2019. But just because attendance naturally dropped during the height of the pandemic doesn't mean preschool isn't extremely important to a child's future success. Here's a look at a few non-academic advantages of sending your child to preschool.
Your Child Learns Routine
If your child has stayed home with you for the first three years of life, they may have had a fairly unstructured day. Many parents initially take their cues from their child's needs, whether it's their feeding schedule or bedtime.
But as they are weaned, potty trained, and become more communicative and able to execute fundamental reasoning skills, most parents try to structure their child's needs to a schedule more suitable for the family.
Attending preschool provides structure and routine. You drop them off and pick them up at specific times on specific days. Their day is spent participating in set activities. With an established routine they must adhere to comes a sense of security and knowing what to expect. This is the first step in preparing your child for K-12 education.
Your Child Learns to Socialize
Many children spend their days in isolation with their primary caretaker. Sadly, this was even more true during lockdown. Children need to be around other children. Playing with peers their own age helps them learn important concepts such as taking turns, sharing, and cooperation.
Being around other children also helps your child shift from an egocentric perspective to a more altruistic, empathetic approach. In preschool, your child learns that the world does not revolve around them and their immediate needs, other people have needs and wants and feelings, too. This is especially valuable if they are an only child and have had limited opportunities to be around children their own age.
Your Child Learns Independent Autonomy
A child who is home with their mother or father all day typically may have few, if any, responsibilities. At preschool, however, they quickly learn they have responsibilities they are expected to perform. For example, they must keep their personal items in their locker or put a toy back in the correct spot when they're done playing.
Preschool also largely puts the onus of self-care on the child. As a child adjusts to their parents not being around to direct their every step, they realize it's up to them to decide when they need to use the bathroom or blow their nose and make the choice to wash their hands or not.
As you can see, preschool is more than just getting your child ready to read and write, it's about getting your child accustomed to a daily routine, interrelating with others, and becoming independent as they learn to navigate the world without you by their side.
For more information on preschool, contact a professional near you.
Share21 March 2022
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