Is preschool important for children_

1. Is preschool important for children? By Ponderly

2. Fact Box • As of January 2023, 18 states — Hawaii, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, West Virginia, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, New Jersey, New York, and Vermont — offer some form of tax-funded universal pre-k. • The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania predicted in June 2022 that the US Government would spend approximately “$351 billion dollars over the next 10 years” on nationwide universal preschool for three- and four-year-olds. • The National Center for Education Statistics found that since 2010, 52-54% of three-to-four-year-old children have attended preschool. However, preschool attendance was widely reduced by 40-50% between 2020-2021 due to the COVID pandemic. • Between 2005-2019, the US Census Bureau found no “discernable pattern to increase in preschool enrollment across states.”

4. Elisa (No) A common belief in American education suggests that starting school earlier leads to greater academic success. However, this is not always the case. Studies show that preschool may have minimal impact on a child’s success in elementary school and could even be counterproductive in some situations. More parents are enrolling their children in preschool, thinking it’s essential for their development, but evidence suggests otherwise. Instead of rushing kids into school, they should be encouraged to spend more time with their families. According to a 2019 article by Children Central, quality family time helps enhance self-esteem and overall happiness in children. In the bigger picture, research indicates that preschool may be an unnecessary expense. As Business Insider points out, “Preschool doesn't provide children with anything they can't easily or more affordably receive elsewhere.” What children truly need is not more structured schooling but more love, attention, and quality time at home.

5. Bre (Yes) Children attend preschool during a crucial time in their development, setting the tone for their educational structure. According to experts, preparing new students for future academic success and building foundational scholastic skills is essential, as this age represents a developmental window where the child's brain is influenced heavily by their surroundings. Preschool's short- and long-term benefits are numerous and too compelling to ignore. Other factors associated with preschool effectiveness are high-quality curriculum and teacher training. Preschool provides opportunities to positively explore learning and develop a range of social and emotional skills through games, music, play, and movement. Preschool's combination of playful learning and supportive instruction by trained teachers fosters creativity and curiosity while encouraging young students to build self-regulation skills. It promotes positive interactions with peers, improves attention span, and allows children to regulate their emotions healthily. What more could parents want for their children?