Back when I was a new mom who thought I had all the answers (yes, feel free to roll your eyes), I was convinced my son didn’t require preschool. I mean, what could he possibly gain from it that he didn’t already know? At just 4 years old, he could read anything on his bookshelf, identify all his shapes and colors, and count as high as anyone might ask. I stayed home with him and introduced him to developmentally appropriate activities whenever I could. In my mind, preschool would only bore him.
So, I didn’t enroll him.
When he turned 5 and was ready for kindergarten, there was no question in my mind he was prepared! On his first day, I took him to the elementary school gym where all the other neat and eager kindergartners were gathered. From the sidelines, I watched as these kids absorbed their new environment, fidgeting with excitement and nerves.
Finally, it was time for them to line up for their classrooms. “Okay, kindergarten! Let’s get in a line!” said his teacher. One by one, the kids lined up like little ducklings—except for my son, who stood there next to a classmate, totally oblivious. As I watched his teacher gently guide him to the end of the line, panic washed over me. My child didn’t even know how to line up. He had never had to. No daycare, no preschool, no siblings at that time, and no reason to wait his turn.
I thought he didn’t need preschool because he was ahead in language and math, but I hadn’t realized that by skipping it, he missed out on so many other essential skills. Namely, the chance to socialize and learn the basics of being part of a classroom—critical abilities he would need for the next 12 years of his education. I had naively believed he would be ahead of the game, but in reality, he lagged behind many of his peers.
I learned this lesson the hard way, so you don’t have to. Here’s the truth: whether your 3- or 4-year-old is a budding genius or just starting to form sentences, preschool is a vital stepping stone that lays a solid educational foundation. This isn’t just my opinion; it’s been confirmed in recent research conducted by early childhood experts from prestigious institutions like Duke, Vanderbilt, Rutgers, and Harvard. They found that kids who attend preschool exhibit significantly higher levels of readiness for kindergarten compared to those who don’t. This finding is especially crucial for children from low-income families and multilingual backgrounds.
Sure, your child will pick up basic concepts like colors and shapes, some of which they might already know. But the real benefits of preschool extend far beyond simple memorization.
Benefits of Preschool
- Preschool provides a sense of security. It’s a consistent, nurturing environment where kids see familiar faces, follow a daily routine, and know their teacher genuinely cares for them. It also reinforces the idea that when you leave, you always return.
- Preschool fosters diversity. Children from various ethnicities and backgrounds discover commonalities at preschool and learn they can form friendships with all kinds of people.
- Preschool teaches responsibility. Kids are expected to hang up their jackets, tidy their desks, clean up toys, and often take on classroom duties like turning off the lights before recess.
- Preschool encourages self-sufficiency. In a typical classroom, teachers can’t attend to every need, so children learn to handle tasks like wiping their noses, washing their hands, zipping their coats, and more—all on their own.
- Preschool emphasizes good manners. Kids practice waiting their turn, sharing, saying “please” and “thank you,” using an inside voice, and generally being polite.
- Preschool keeps children active. Physical play is a significant part of the preschool experience—not just on the playground but through dance and movement games too.
- Preschool nurtures creativity. Most preschool classrooms are filled with opportunities for imaginative play, including building blocks, art supplies, and costumes for kids to role-play as parents, doctors, or whatever else they can imagine.
I thought I was giving my son everything he needed at home, but I soon realized there are benefits to preschool that even the most dedicated parent can’t provide. I learned from my mistake and enrolled my younger children, who thrived and showed far more readiness for school than their older brother. As for my firstborn, I regret that he missed out due to my ignorance. But hey, someone’s got to be the test subject!
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Summary
I initially believed my son didn’t need preschool, thinking he was ahead in academics. However, I soon realized he lacked essential social skills and classroom behavior. Preschool offers invaluable experiences that prepare children for future schooling, including socialization, responsibility, and creativity. Learning from my mistake, I ensured my younger children attended preschool, which better equipped them for school than my eldest.