More children attend preschool programs these days than ever before. There are multiple reasons why this has become the norm. Nowadays there are more single parent households, as well as homes where both parents work, which necessitates young children entering day care or preschool programs before they are elementary school age. It really is a win/win situation, however, as there are many excellent preschool education activities that serve to benefit children in many ways.
Preschool education activities have grown to include 75% of children in the United States who are between three and five years old. Academic preschool activities are shown to have far reaching positive effects on children throughout their school years. Statistics show that 60% of children who are considered to be at risk will not attend college if they did not begin their school years with a high quality education offered through academic preschool programs. In addition, about 25% of at-risk children who do not attend a preschool program are said to be more likely to drop out of high school.
There are an unlimited number of preschool education activities that are appropriate for children between the ages of three and six. Many quality preschool curriculums and activities can be used by any preschool or day care, whether the program is an extension of a public or private school, or a stand alone preschool. Most preschool education activities are very adaptable and can be used even in a homeschool setting.
There are certain things to look for in a preschool that parents need to keep in mind when searching for the one that will fit the needs of their child. When visiting a preschool for the purpose of possible enrollment, most of what parents will observe, to start off with, will simply be children playing. It is important to understand that play is a form of learning offered through a good curriculum which caters to the preschooler’s level of perception. Play is how young children learn to understand and remember. With the use of items such as toys and colors, children are already beginning to learn.
One sure way to recognize a quality preschool which offers preschool education activities that appeal to children’s curiosity is to interview the teachers who work there. Teachers should ideally be equipped with the information that will help them to explain the curriculum and the activities of the school. They will be able to tell parents what they are doing and why, in detail. It is perfectly fine for visiting parents to ask a teacher to explain to them the purpose behind an activity they are observing. It is also essential to see children having fun and being creative. All of this contributes to a well rounded, quality preschool education.
Classroom environment is also an important factor in choosing the right preschool. Low shelves and appropriately sized tables and chairs in an open floor plan are the norm for a well planned preschool. Some states require by law that there be a bathroom for the children right in the classroom that is visible to the teacher for safety reasons. Round tables or rounded corners on tables of other shapes are also a part of safety requirements. Cleanliness is important and electrical sockets that are covered are imperative. Any toys or supplies that children can safely have access to should be out in the open where they can be reached. Items like cleaning products and painting supplies should be stored where the children cannot reach them.
A preschool classroom should have clear division between one section and another. This helps children with their navigational skills. For instance, they know that they can go to the bookshelves and choose a book within reach and then take a seat on a chair or couch by the shelves to read. Blocks will be located in another spot in the room where there is plenty of space to build with them. Still another place in the room is home to play office equipment or a play kitchen. The children know where to go for whatever they want, and they understand the separation between the items.

Preschool has been found to be a valuable part of the background of many students as they move throughout the educational years. Therefore, finding the right preschool sets an important precedence for their future.
Statistics show that three quarters of preschool age children in the United States do, in fact, participate in an academic preschool curriculum with other children their age. Results of other studies done show that among at-risk children, 25% are likely to become high school drop outs if they did not begin their school years with a proper preschool education. Another 70% of children in the same category are likely to be involved in a violent crime in later years if they, as well, did not participate in a good preschool as part of their educational foundation.
This sounds a bit inconceivable; however, it is true. Preschool is the very first type of community situation that young children will enter into outside of their own home. Until their preschool years the world of little ones consists of their parents, or caregivers, their siblings, and their home surroundings. A preschool atmosphere actually opens up their world to include other children their age who are not family members, and new adults, as well, who are not family members. How a child’s year or two in preschool is mapped out and navigated by both the child, the parents, and others directly involved sets an important foundation in the child’s subsequent years of education as well as many other aspects of his or her life.
Finding the right preschool can be a daunting process for parents. Preschool will be the first non-family situation that they send their baby out into, and they want to be sure their child is happy, safe, and will spend their time at preschool learning, making new friends, and having fun. It is suggested that parents begin their search of finding the right preschool a good year in advance. There are good academic preschool programs in most cities and towns throughout the U.S. to choose from. Most of these will offer tours during several months of the year, allowing parents to visit the school with their child, sit in on some classes and activities, and speak with administrators and teachers. In many instances children can be enrolled on the spot. Sometimes, if there are open slots and the child is ready, they can begin immediately without waiting until the following year. A good academic preschool program will greatly aid in grade school readiness.
In most cases, kindergarten students who have experienced a quality preschool education beforehand begin with a head start over children who have not had the same opportunity. A preschool education truly begins with the parents as they do their research for the best type of academic preschool activities for their child. Typically, moms and dads would prefer to move ahead with a preschool recommended by friends or family members who have sent their own children there and have had a positive experience. However, this is not the case for everyone; therefore, parents are encouraged to do their homework, usually looking for preschool programs located near their jobs or homes.
While doing their research, parents will generally find that preschools offer more than one program. With work schedules so diversified, administrators have found it very beneficial to parents if they go outside the box and offer a more varied schedule to fit the needs of more than one type of calendar. There are half day schedules as well as full day schedules. Children can also attend anywhere from two half days per week to five half days per week. There are half day programs that also offer before and after school daycare, and there are full time daycare programs that also have an academic preschool program for children between the ages of 2.5 and five years old.
During the process of finding the right preschool program, state education laws should be researched by parents to be sure that the school is committed to preparing the children for kindergarten. Parents should examine how the children are treated and that every detail about the school and the program are geared toward the children’s benefit.