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Participation in a Pre-K program builds on what Children are ready to Learn.
Home » Early Learning » Importance of Pre-K Classes » Participation in a Pre-K program builds on what Children are ready to Learn.Posted by Your Guide on March 15, 2006 5:36 PM
Pre-K programs are successful when they build on what children are cognitively, socially, and emotionally ready to learn. It is difficult for a 2-year old to share and play cooperatively with others because they are just not ready to relate to the world in those ways. However, a 3- or 4-year old can enjoy success and the fun of playing with others because they are ready to look beyond themselves and participate with those who are around them in their world.
Three and 4-year olds are ready to look up from their independent play and work together to build a tower or play with clay to build a “town” for their cars and toy people. Because they are ready for this developmental step, Pre-K programs can fill that need. Pre-K programs are usually an important step toward a small measure of independence as children are often taking their first steps away from parents as they participate in these programs.
But what about the child who has been active in a Day Care setting since they were born? Can Pre-K programs benefit them, too? The answer is a resounding “Yes!” Even the best Day Care programs are designed for care, with only a small emphasis on education, comparing day care to Pre-K programs is like comparing apples to fruit salad. Pre-K programs are much more complex, require a little more preparation, and offer more variety than a day care setting can typically provide.
Many children who participate in a thriving day care environment leave the day care to participate in a Pre-K program, then return to the day care for lunch, rest time, and playtime before returning home in the evening. It is important to remember that enrollment in a day care does not and should not prevent a child from participating in a Pre-K classroom setting.
Many children thrive at home with one or more of their parents. Children who spend their preschool years at home, rather than in a group setting are often just as academically and emotionally ready kindergarten, but many children who spend the majority of their time at home can also benefit from the Pre-K environment, even if they attend their Pre-K school only 2 or 3 days a week. When at-home children are able to spend some of their time in a quality Pre-K classroom setting, they are more socially prepared for Kindergarten and the later grades.
Children are learning from the moment of birth. They begin learning long before they enter a classroom, so making the most of every moment is the key to preparing a child for life.
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