In this age of ‘neo-conservatism,’ it is not surprising to see people arguing that preschools jeopardize early childhood by stuffing pencils and crayons into the fragile fingers of kids who would have otherwise been playing with mud.
However, if we go by empirical studies, preschool is integral to the holistic development of a child. It does give an initial kickstart, preparing the child for the long road of life ahead, and it also makes that road smooth and sparky.
From speaking, listening, and organizational skills, preschool helps your child develop academic understanding, self-control, and critical thinking.
Preparing Them for the Kindergarten
Preschools are essential for developing fundamental knowledge and information that will be useful once the child joins kindergarten. Rather than a mere assertion, how useful is it?
A research paper suggested that preschool graduates were far ahead of others in three core areas: language, arithmetic, and literacy. The study by Prof. Arya Ansari of Ohio State University clarifies that the preschool graduates outperformed others in vocabulary, letter identification, memory, etc.
They concluded that those who attended preschools were eight months ahead of others in learning ability and academics. Furthermore, they were five months ahead in planning and organizational skills, speaking and listening, and impulse control.
While instruction in kindergarten matters, it could only bridge 55% and 45% of the learning gap between preschool graduates and others in arithmetic and general awareness.
Do you have a child of preschool age, i.e., three to five years? You might want to enrol them in one of the best schools in Riyadh, helping them prepare for their future.
Strike While the Iron is Hot!
90% of brain development occurs before kindergarten- from birth to age 5. This early brain development period influences your child’s ability to learn and achieve in school and life.
Early childhood events, both good and bad, impact their brain development. This stage demands hands-on learning intertwined with rainbows and cupcakes. Therefore, preschooling helps your child develop concrete skills and abstract thinking, memory, focus, and decision-making abilities.
Along with simple board games focusing on problem-solving abilities, the preschool curriculum of schools in Riyadh encompasses age-appropriate puzzles that provide spellbinding challenges. Categorization activities help children develop essential skills such as memory and focus, and pretend plays help them develop creative thinking skills.
Therefore, the preschool age presents you, as a parent, with an opportunity to help your child make the best use of this golden period. So, if you have a child of preschool age, enrol them in one of the best schools in Riyadh!
Making the Road of Life Sparky
We have just seen the immediate benefits of preschooling. How useful is it from a macro perspective?
Guthrie Gray-Lobe, Christopher R. Walters, and Parag A. Pathak form one of the earliest groups who attempted to study how preschooling benefits children. Analyzing a sample size of over 4,000 individuals, the final study report published in 2021 made interesting assertions backed by empirical evidence.
They concluded that preschool graduates fared well in their life compared to others.
Compared to others, preschoolers are far less likely to receive a suspension letter from the school. You are less likely to see them lectured for bunking classes. Also, they are less likely to get into a juvenile home.
Moreover, 70% of preschoolers graduate from high school vis-à-vis 64% of non-schoolers. Also, you are more likely to find preschool graduates in colleges. The same study found that 54% of preschoolers pursue higher education, compared to 46% of non-schoolers.
To Sum it Up
To sum up, preschooling has substantial long-term benefits beyond the immediate benefits in kindergartens.
While it helps your child develop essential academic and non-academic skills, it also helps them develop non-cognitive skills like socio-economic intelligence, giving them the required motivation to succeed.
Indeed, childhood is too pristine to be reduced to a rat race. It is never too late to learn- people say. However, knowledge builds on itself- the earlier your child starts, things get better with time. In other words, the faster, the further.
Stay updated with the latest Pinay Telegram content.
