Why is Preschool the Most Important Year in Your Child Development

Singapore boasts one of the best education systems in the world. While preschool is not mandatory in the country, there’s a lot of emphasis on The Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) oversees key aspects of a child’s growth before the age of 7 years. Most parents in the country take their children to preschool.

Before you look for international preschools for your kid, it’s advisable to learn what to expect in the program. These classes lay the groundwork for future learning, and this strong foundation comes handy for your child at later stages. Teachers in preschool are professionals who have qualified to handle children at this age.

If you are a parent wondering whether to take your child through a preschool Singapore program, this post is for you. Read on to discover why preschool could just be the biggest gift to your child.

Additionally, if you plan to admit your kid to the best international school, putting them through a preschool will prepare your child better for the process. They’ll learn to adjust to other kids from different ethnicities, speaking different languages.

What Happens in Preschool?

Before you enrol your child for preschool, it’s advisable to learn what to expect in the program. These classes lay the groundwork for future learning, and this strong foundation comes handy for your child at later stages. Teachers in preschool are professionals who have qualified to handle children at this age.

These education professionals develop a curriculum that helps your child gain invaluable skills. The skills learnt through relaxed activities such as games and singing come handy in learning how to read, write, build their math and science skills.

An established preschool has a clear class structure with play and learning areas. You’ll find designated areas for reading, arts and crafts, building and math toys, water/sand table, pretend-play circle and others. Through fun and games, your child learns more than they can do at the home setting.

From Recites rhymes, songs, and poems, playing with building blocks and letters to dancing, there are crucial skills the preschooler gains in this setting. At a glance, it might seem like all fun and games, but as a parent, you’ll slowly notice your child can speak, count, and pronounce words better.

Influence of the Preschool Year in Child Development

To appreciate preschool importance in your child’s development, consider the following benefits:

Learning Self-regulation

At home, your child is the center of attention and can easily get away with everything. It becomes hard to train your child to do anything right because you don’t have a lot of time. Every time a child wants anything, the first instinct is to cry, and this becomes unbearable.

In the formal preschool setting, self-regulation is one of the most important skills your child acquires. Children come together in a community and they learn how to tolerate each other, be patient, obey authority and behave politely.

Children learn routine and good habits through songs and repetitive rhymes and start practicing these habits in real life. If a child wants to go to the bathroom, they understand there’s a teacher to address and they do so.

Enhancing Socialization Skills

School is crucial in a child’s socialization and plays an important role in a child’s development. A child who hasn’t interacted with their age mates might not have a good understanding of the world. If your child’s life revolves around the house, they might find it hard to fit in primary school.

In preschool, the teacher facilitates interactions and building of relationships. Students have to co-exists and share facilities. They have to learn how to compromise and understand each other’s differences.

At home, you’ll find your child more agreeable and respectful towards others because they have learnt these skills at school. When a child attends preschool, it prepares them for larger communities in primary school and they won’t have a problem fitting in.

Nurturing Creativity Early

Children are naturally curious and in preschool programs, teachers leverage this to nurture creativity and allow kids to learn. The teacher will try to help the child discover on their own.

They provide materials such as play toys that encourage the child to explore even further. When a child sees something outside, a teacher can encourage them to paint or mold a similar object.

Children have many questions, and teachers solve this by presenting situations and settings that help answer these questions. When you nurture creativity at this early stage, you encourage the student to embrace learning and discovery.

Foundation for Academic Development

Children who go to preschool encounter learning experiences at an early age and their brains are more accustomed to imbuing knowledge. By introducing new things in a structured setting, you can help your child by preparing them for academic excellence. They already have the urge for learning, and this influences their cognitive development at an early age.

Development of Motor Skills

Preschool activities revolve around games and fun activities that require the child to always move around. There’s also emphasis on psychomotor skills in creativity projects such as drawing, painting, and others. The child’s young limbs require such exercises to grow, and this also improves coordination.

Final Thoughts

Preschool might look like all fun and games, but psychologists say it’s a crucial phase in a child’s growth and development. The activities in preschool programs help prepare a child holistically by nurturing their academic, social, and physical development. Still wondering why to enroll your child for preschool?