For young children, the preschool years are a fun experience. Preschoolers can actively discover various play activities and surroundings because of their trust and independence.
Most children start preschool when they are at least three years old and stay for about two years before beginning kindergarten. So, let's look at the importance of preschool and the skills your children should develop as preschoolers to prepare them for the next stage of life.
Why Is Preschool Important For Your Child
As the name suggests, preschool is a programme where play and learning are integrated, guided by professionals with proper training. It acts as a stage for children aged 3-4 to go through important experiences for their early years of development.
Preschool education is important because it promotes a child's emotional, social, and personal development. When 3-year-olds have the opportunity to interact with adults other than their parents, they develop trusting bonds. Additionally, preschool is a child's first encounter in a structured environment where they can learn the significance of teamwork, as well as new skills that promote personal development.
Important Skills That Your Child Should Develop In Preschool
Your child will have the chance to develop and hone essential skills in preschool, preparing them for a lifetime of learning and allowing them to influence their surroundings positively.
These are the ten abilities your child should learn in preschool:
Social Skills
Preschoolers learn how to respect and get along with others through cooperative play and learning, which helps to advance their language abilities, self-control, and general social skills. During organised learning activities or creative play, teachers can help children resolve disagreements that may occur.
Fine Motor Skills
Children's fine motor skills are developed through preschool-level craft activities that require them to use markers, operate with scissors, sculpt things, and engage in other dexterity-focused creative play. These skills will be needed for more challenging tasks as they become older.
Visual Perception
Visual perception is the ability to understand what the brain sees. Between the ages of 3 and 7, children should develop this crucial skill for learning to read, write, and perform maths. Visual perception consists of:
- Visual discrimination
- Visual memory
- Shape perception
- Visual analysis and synthesis
Listening Skills
The development of a child's listening abilities is essential to their social and academic learning as it will enable them to follow instructions and grasp what is being explained. Activities that improve your child's listening abilities are encouraged in preschool settings.
Communication Skills
Your child's social and academic success depends heavily on their ability to express their wants and feelings through body language and spoken words. These communication skills are developed in preschool through activities and teachers' feedback.
Reading Skills
Before learning to read, children need to acquire crucial pre-reading abilities, such as:
- Rhyming
- Visual memory
- Print awareness
- Listening comprehension
- Letter knowledge
- Auditory perception
Writing Skills
Developmental writing requires the growth of fundamental skills, such as:
- visual perception
- pencil grip
- fine motor skills
- patterning skills
Early Maths Skills
Preschoolers who learn to recognise numbers and start counting objects better understand how mathematics is applied in everyday life. Besides, they will have a stronger foundation for each year's more challenging mathematics lessons.
Problem Solving Skills
Problem-solving abilities are necessary for every area of life. The development of problem-solving skills should start in preschool since they are essential for progress in learning, interpersonal relationships, and even the most basic tasks of daily life. Children's problem-solving abilities can be taught and developed through conversations, games, and activities.
Creativity
A child who is encouraged to express themselves creatively gains self-confidence and can look at problems from several perspectives. Through creative projects, parents may appreciate each child's individuality while also assisting children in developing a strong sense of self.
Emotional Development
Preschool should support your child in developing an understanding of both their and other peers' emotions. This includes learning to understand and manage those emotions and their accompanying behaviours.
Equip Your Children With The Essential Life Skills For Them To Succeed In The Future
Young children are most active throughout preschool because of their independence and drive to learn about the world around them. During their preschool years, parents and teachers are responsible for providing these children with various chances to support their growth.
