It is important to allow your child to participate in some type of group experience before kindergarten. You do not want your child to suffer from separation anxiety. Taking your child to a childcare program exposes them to shapes, numbers, letters and interactions with children and adults. Read on to find out how preschool can prepare your child for kindergarten.
Learn Social Skills
Social skills are something your child needs to be successful in life. When someone lacks social skills, it is hard to have relationships with peers, family members and to keep jobs. Eventually, you will become isolated and alone.
A childcare program can help your child to start developing these skills at an early age. It teaches your child the ability to empathize, how to successfully interact with peers and how to relate to adults.
Teaches Emotional Self-Regulation Skills
Preschool can teach your child emotional self-regulation skills. Many small children do not understand how to behave in different situations. They also have a short attention span and do not know how to control impulses.
Self-regulation requires a child to manage emotion, control bodily functions and maintain focus. It is a skill that a child develops at different rates. This process is complex. Your child learns to control emotions, thoughts and behaviors. A daycare teacher has to put self-regulation activities in the lesson plans for children to master this skill.
Physical behaviors are usually the first things that children learn to self-regulate. For example, thumb sucking is an example of a physical behavior. Regulating emotional behaviors come next, but can take time. Sharing a toy with another child is an example of emotional self-regulation. If your child learns how to manage emotions, then he or she will learn how to interact effectively with others when upset. Your child cannot develop this skill at home or in isolation.
Learn Language Skills
Language skills are important to your child's success. It helps your child with communicating their feelings and getting along with others. In daycare, your child is exposed to informal and formal learning. Your child will participate in activities that require listening and following directions. Furthermore, children in daycare are exposed to activities that help with developing language skills.
You should consider a childcare program for your toddler. This program provides children with early childhood education. It also helps them with developing a wide range of skills. This exposure makes your child ready to learn when starting kindergarten. Talk to a school like Sammamish Montessori School for more information.
I remember staying at home when I was a young child until I entered kindergarten. However, when I had my first child as a working mother, I realized that it was a good idea to transfer my child from a standard daycare facility to a preschool after I learned how they differ. Preschools typically have teachers trained in early childhood education, while many daycare centers do not. However, I became overwhelmed with all of my local preschool options and had to learn about all of the various types of preschool education offered today before I made my final decision. I was very happy with my choice, because my little one is now thriving in her new preschool. I am now researching elementary school options. I am eager to share what I have learned, and am still learning, about child education with anyone who needs the advice on my new blog!