Preschool children are playing with clay in classroom.
Once considered a luxury of the upper class alone, parents everywhere are now signing their children up to attend preschool. In the United States, pre-kindergarten attendance rates of 3-to-4-year-olds are about 47%, according to data from the U.S. Institute of Education Sciences—and about 84% of 5-year-olds are enrolled annually.
While publicly-funded preschool programs vary from state to state and the quality of education can certainly be different in one school over another, there are many advantages and opportunities that come from a child attending a preschool or pre-kindergarten program.
“Because preschool is so much more than academics, we see benefits across a wide range of outcomes,” says Dr. Michael Little, an author of preschool research and an associate professor of educational evaluation at North Carolina State University. “While high-quality preschool education definitely benefits early academic skills, attending has also been linked to improvements in executive function skills, social skills, and building the foundation for later school and life success for all kids.”
Why are parents drawn to preschool?
Because preschool education programs often aren’t state funded the way public K-12 grades are, parents have to decide whether to enroll their children or not the year or two before kindergarten begins.
Doing so often reflects “a mix of both practical needs and a desire to support their child’s growth,” says Kristel Walker, founder and executive director of Inquisitive Minds—a Utah-based Montessori, Reggio, and Waldorf preschool with multiple campuses.
Practical reasons include parents needing reliable childcare while they are away at work, desires to better prepare kids academically and emotionally for elementary education, and “some families simply notice that their child is seeking more connection and experiences,” says Walker.
What are the benefits of preschool?
No matter the reasons a parent decides to sign their child up, preschool provides numerous proven benefits.
These include greater levels of self-confidence, better emotional regulation, improved structure and predictability (imperative for healthy child development), and meta-analysis also shows that parents whose kids attend preschool are more likely to be involved in their children’s education going forward.
Studies also show significant improvement in social skills development of the children who attend preschool. “Social skills are especially crucial to develop at a young age, and preschool provides great opportunities for children to interact with others in a group setting and with the gentle guidance of a supervising teacher,” says Chelsea Giannone, founder and co-director of Storybook Preschool in Lake Oswego, Oregon. “It also provides friendship opportunities they can take with them into first grade and throughout their life.”
Boosted cognitive development and function is another significant factor with one study showing children who attended preschool testing 9% higher than their classmates in later elementary years. Other research shows that kids who attended preschool are also much more likely to graduate from high school and attend college. Dr. Little points to research he authored that shows that this leg up continues later in life as well as preschool-taught children demonstrate better executive function skills than their peers who didn’t attend school before kindergarten. “Preschool stimulates critical thinking, memory, attention, and language skills,” echoes Dr. Ari Yares, a Maryland-based practicing psychologist who has worked as a teacher, principal, and school psychologist.
Another factor is how preschool has been shown to help children better cope with separation anxiety from mom or dad. It does this, in part, by providing opportunities for children to develop trust with other adults and through kids being able to see their peers also saying goodbye to a parent or guardian when getting dropped off. “Our teachers are very good at helping students cope with these big feelings at drop-off by repeating mantras, giving them specific tasks when they first arrive, or praising something they know the child is proud of,” says Giannone. “This engagement not only distracts them during a difficult moment but reinforces that they can do hard things,” she adds, “and before they know it, they are actually looking forward to coming back.”
Tim Carter, an educator and the president of Discovery Tree Academy has seen such growth firsthand. “I think back on one little girl we had who for weeks was really shy and stuck to her mom at drop-off,” he explains. “But by the end of the year, she was the class helper and loved to welcome the other kids and parents each day.”
Preschool also provides a love of learning that can last. “The benefits of preschool really stem from creating a solid foundation and inspiring a love of learning,” says Walker. “When early learning is rooted in connection, curiosity, and respect, kids develop a positive identity around school and they see learning as something exciting and meaningful to experience.”
Is preschool for everyone?
Despite such advantages, preschool isn’t for everyone. Some children benefit from that extra year at home with their parents or siblings. Other kids have disabilities or learning disorders that can be better helped in specialized settings. And some children are already getting especially high levels of social and academic opportunities in other areas of their life.
Costs can also be prohibitive. While many cities have state-funded preschools and government assistance programs parents can apply for that can help with the cost of childcare like preschool, the majority of parents still pay for early education out of pocket. Data shows the average annual price of childcare, including preschool, is north of $11,500 per family—though many preschool programs cost much less than that.
“If your child isn’t ready for preschool or if your family circumstances make it too challenging, it’s perfectly acceptable to delay enrollment or choose not to send your child at all,” says Dr. Yares. In such cases, “focus on providing a stimulating and nurturing environment at home that supports their development in other ways,” he advises.
Choosing the best preschool for your child
Choosing the best preschool for your child usually starts with talking to other parents and checking online reviews, but most parents best learn what they need to know from touring the preschool they are interested in. “Pay attention to the feeling you get during a tour,” suggests Carter. “Does the environment seem safe, warm, and friendly? Are the teachers engaging with the kids? Is it a place you feel good about leaving your child?”
Harvard researchers also encourage parents to learn and monitor how physically active children in the preschool are, how teachers discipline a rowdy classroom, and whether adults are addressing the kids in nurturing and encouraging ways.
“Also note that programs with low teacher-child ratios allow for warm and responsive interactions between children and teachers,” adds Dr. Little; and a high-quality preschool “should also prioritize a holistic range or developmental goals, not just early academics.”
It’s also worth considering family principles and goals. “It’s important to identify the values your family holds dear and to find a school that aligns with them,” offers Giannone.
“I often remind parents that the ‘best’ preschool isn’t the one with the fanciest materials or longest waitlist,” adds Walker. “It’s the one where your child feels seen, safe, and excited to come each day.”
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