10 Benefits of Preschool

Did you place your child in preschool or do you plan to?  Have you thought about the benefits?  I believe in early childhood education, and as a result Xavier went to preschool for 3 years before he started kindergarten.  It was money well spent, he learned skills that I believe are important for creating a strong foundation for entering kindergarten and beyond.


What he learned:  

1. Social skills
2. Field trips with classmates on a school bus
3. Group participation
4. Learning to do homework
5. Making friends outside of family
6. Playing well with others
7. Daily naps without a fight or protest 
8. Eating meals in a cafeteria style setting  
9. Enhanced athletic skills
10. Following directions from teachers

He's 2 in the picture above; he's 5 in the picture below.  How time flies.  Last year we sent him to the local recreational center for the summer so we could focus on his athletic skills.  He enjoyed his summer.  He took swimming lessons, learned basic football and basketball skills, and made new friends.

Research has shown that early childhood development is essential for our children.  It builds a strong foundation for success in later years and I believe it.  We have seen a payoff for both preschool and time spent at the recreational center for Xavier.  He's reading, doing times table, writing sentences and excelling in sports.  He received an award for outstanding performance in football, and his team has made it to the championship in basketball this year.  Go Tarheels!  

Xavier benefited so much from preschool, we put Zarriah in as well.  She's 2 here and loves school so much she looks forward to going every day.  Sometimes she goes on the week-end, lol.  She said her friends are there and she loves her teacher, Miss Sheila.  Look at this face, it's 8:00 am in the morning.  She's heading out to enjoy the day at school.  She knows her ABC's, she can count to 10 and is learning to play well with others.  She understands Time Out and loves to read.  She has learned basic manners, excuse me, thank you and please.  When she's ready for a nap, she says "Gaga I'm ready for bed."  Amazing.  

We love the fact that she too will have already grasped going to school and doing homework.  She will understand the group setting concept when she enters kindergarten and her social skills will be developed.  I believe in investing in children, and there are just some things you can't teach your at home.  Your thoughts on Preschool?