At Academic Learning Labs we provide a basis for lifelong learning, so often parents will ask us about what lifelong learning means. Preschool is one of the first formal learning opportunities and it truly provides a foundation to be successful in school and in life.

Studies have shown that children gain a lot from preschool through exposure to numbers, letters, shapes, and more importantly they learn how to socialize.

“Children who attend high-quality preschool enter kindergarten with better pre-reading skills, richer vocabularies, and stronger basic math skills than those who do not,” says National Institute for Early Education Research director W. Steven Barnett, PhD.

Preschool also teaches your child how to be a student. They learn how to raise their hand, share, take turns and how to separate from Mommy, which eases the transition to kindergarten. Studies show that children who attend preschool were significantly more advanced in their overall child development, were more likely to graduate from high school, and had higher “school readiness” skills.

What Your Child can Learn in Preschool

Socialization is an integral part of preschool. It teaches them how to compromise, be respectful of others and provides them an opportunity to gain a sense of self while exploring and building confidence. They will learn basic math skills such as counting, recognizing patterns and geometric shapes. It also allows them to discover that they can do things for themselves and let them see things from a different view and allowing them to ask questions. Quality preschools can help your child find answers to these questions by allowing them to explore, experiment and then communicate with others.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How old should my child be when he starts?

Most preschools take children as young as 2.5 and up through 5 years old with many kids beginning at age 4.

How often do they attend preschool?

You can choose from part-time or full-time options depending on your family’s needs. This schedule can have a mix of half days, full days, and alternating days.

When should I start looking into preschools?

Typically, you should begin looking into your options about a year before you want your child to attend. If you live in a big city where there may be competition for schools, you will want to start applying earlier and at more than one place.

How do I choose the right preschool?

Research is truly the most important part of finding the right preschool. Decide on the location you want the school in (possibly close to work or home) and hours (half-day, two ore three days a week, or full time). There are preschools at private schools, daycare centers, religious institutions, state funded-schools, and cooperatives that are run by parents. The best way to start the process is to ask for recommendations from other moms and then check if the school is state licensed, which ensures that the facility meets safety requirements and has adequate staffing. Some states exempt any religious-based preschools from these requirements yet many meet these standards anyways. Call the schools you are considering and ask about their fees, admission process and curriculum. Once you have selected a few schools schedule visits or attend an open house.

Let us know of your experience with a pre-schooler and any tips for parents to support their young child’s path to successful learning.