When Should I Enroll My Child In Preschool?

You may think that kindergarten is the start of your child’s schooling, but it actually starts even earlier for most. For a lot of children, education starts in preschool or pre-kindergarten and it’s shown to have great advantages for your child’s development. Not only does it benefit your child academically, but it also helps them develop cognitive, social, and emotional skills which are extremely useful in life and in school. It helps your child become more independent, and can help them develop confidence and self-worth. 

The advantages of preschool are endless, but deciding when your child is ready for preschool can be difficult to determine. There are many considerations to make, but here are our suggestions for when you should enroll your child in preschool. 

What age should my child start preschool? 

There are many things to consider when it comes to enrolling your child into preschool, but the biggest factor for most is age. Most preschool programs begin at age 3 and typically extend until the child is ready for kindergarten around age 5. Some preschools take children even earlier at the age of 2, but the curriculum and activities will differ somewhat from the older children. While most children begin preschools between the ages of 3 and 4, your child has the opportunity to start their education even earlier at the Little Bear and University preschools. 

However, because children all develop at a different rate you should consider your child’s specific needs. Preschool is designed to help children grow and learn not only academically, but in many aspects of their early lives. If you’re struggling with any of the following questions, just know that preschool can help:

• Is your child potty trained?
• How will your child react to being separated from you?
• Is your child comfortable playing with other children?
• How well does your child communicate with and listen to others?

How will preschool help prepare my child for kindergarten?

Along with learning valuable math and literacy skills, preschool also helps prepare your child socially and cognitively. They’ll get to experience structure, independence, and expression in a way that they can’t at home. Preschool also helps children develop stronger communication skills and helps them learn how to respond to certain situations. So while your child will take away a tremendous amount of academic skills and knowledge, they’ll also be learning valuable life skills that will help them navigate their way through kindergarten and beyond. 

What will my child learn in preschool?

Your child will learn a variety of skills and information in preschool mostly through group and individual activities which are planned by teachers and administrators. By engaging the children in fun and exciting activities, we’re able to show children just how much fun learning is. Children are extremely motivated to learn in the right environment and we strive to create that with hands-on exercises and other guided activities. Preschool will teach your child:

• Language and cognitive skills
• Social and emotional development
• Self-confidence
• Structure and school readiness
• Academics related to reading, writing, science, and math! 

Do kids have to go to preschool?

The short answer to this question is no, kids aren’t required by law to go to preschool and it isn’t mandatory for transferring into kindergarten. However, children who do attend preschool prove to be more prepared for kindergarten and often perform better in class because of this. Preschool is designed to ease your children into a daily routine, help them develop cognitive and social skills, and introduces them to the subjects they’ll be learning throughout their education. Preschool is where your child will learn their ABC’s and 123’s, make their first friends, and basically get a glimpse of all that life has to offer. So, while it isn’t required, preschool is highly recommended and encouraged by parents and teachers. 

Connect with the Best Reno Preschool

Overall, when your child begins preschool ultimately depends on your child’s readiness, as well as yours. While it can be a big step to take, preschool has many benefits for your child and for you as well. Along with getting a head start on their education, children will also learn to make friends and develop relationships with others outside of their family. And you get the chance to do other things with your free time. Maybe this is your chance to get back to work or go back to school. 

You never have to worry about leaving your child with the caring and compassionate teachers at Little Bear and University Preschools. We promise to give your child the best preschool experience by helping them grow as individuals through our carefully planned and thought out activities and events! Connect with us today to get your little one started on the right path to a good education. 

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