Pre-kindergarten Education: Addressing The Unique Needs Of Your Four To Five Year Old

By Author: Amanda Bernard
Total Articles: 17
Comment this article

Pre-kindergarten, or Pre-K, is usually the first formal academic classroom-based learning environment that your child will attend. It begins for children between the ages of three and five and was created to prepare students for kindergarten. Your pre-kindergartener is preparing for the adventure of a lifetime in school. A thoughtful and comprehensive pre-kindergarten program can get them ready for learning by teaching academic and social skills.

Proven Results

Project Head Start was founded in 1965 as the first federally funded prekindergarten program. Since then there have been several studies proving that children who participated in an early childhood education program were more likely to be successful in school. According to one decisive study published on www.futureofchildren.org, investment in quality early childhood care and education can produce important long-term improvements in the intellectual and social development of children.

Sample Curriculum
...
... Not all pre-K early education programs are created equal. It’s essential to include a variety of activities that can help your child build a wide array of skills to prepare for kindergarten. Covering the following child education topics, will ensure your child learns age-appropriate social, emotional, physical, and intellectual skills.
Social

Cooperating, negotiating, and problem-solving with peers
Recognizing emotions in others

Emotional

Making personal choices
Sharing ideas, thoughts, and feelings with the group

Physical

Gaining large muscle development through obstacle courses, riding bikes, and throwing balls
Dressing independently by using zippers and buttons
Gaining spatial awareness by moving to music

Intellectual

Asking and answering open-ended questions
Understanding a sequence of events
Grasping spatial relationships and the concept of time

Typical Day
Ensuring that your childcare school program consistently offers the activities that will engage your prekindergartener is essential. Take the time to research all your options and ask specific questions about how they address your child’s intellectual, physical, emotional, and social needs.
It’s recommended that any pre-kindergarten program include these types of daily activities:

Group Time - Teacher brings the group together for morning routines, sharing, featured activities, literacy-building, and discussion
Learning and Small-Group Activities - Children can choose from activities that focus on literacy, math, science, dramatic play, and creative arts
Outdoor Play - Children can select from a variety of outdoor activities to help promote physical fitness
Rest Time & Quiet Work - Most children nap or rest quietly during this time

Taking the time to fully understand the unique needs of your pre-kindergartener is the first step to ensuring they develop the skills required for years of successful learning. By choosing a pre-k program that incorporates the above curriculum options, your child will be well on his way to getting the best possible foundation for success in school.