Preparation For School

When should children start school?

Although procedures vary from state to state, children typically begin school the year that they turn five years old. However, pre-school can begin as early as three years old.

What is "preschool"?

Preschools typically have a diverse curriculum where they incorporate components of play and academic or educational aspects, as well as social components so that students will learn how to interact with other children. Preschools are a form of socialization.

Is important for my child to go to pre-school?

It's very important for students to attend preschool, whether it may be pre-K or Headstart, or any other type of program, because that's going to help build up foundational skills that students need to be successful in school, and to ultimately be successful in life. All of the research indicates that students who attend quality early childhood education programs have long-lasting benefits, including academic skills, social skills and cognitive skills as well. So, preschool is extremely important.

Is day-care considered adequate preparation for kindergarten?

I believe that there are some day-care programs that can be adequate preparation for students to enter school, if the day-care program incorporates academic and educational components into their daily curriculum and lessons.

What is "Head Start"?

Head Start is a publicly funded federal program for three to five year-old students before they enter kindergarten. Head Start focuses on working with families, on nutritional, educational, and social aspects, as well as the health of both the entire family and the student. Head Start falls under the umbrella of pre-school. It is a programme designed to prepare students to enter kindergarten fully prepared and ready to learn.

How important is early education?

Early education is extremely important. Our students really need to develop the skills that they are going to use throughout their career in school during the early years. All the research suggests that the chances of becoming a fluent reader are slim to none for children who fall behind in their early years and who are not reading fluently by the end of second grade. So it's important that our students are working hard during those first years and really getting the foundation that they really need through early education.

What are the goals of early childhood education?

The primary goals of an early childhood education program are to introduce students to literacy, to have them become beginning readers, to introduce them to mathematical skills and concepts so that they can have a good sense of numbers in the world around them, and to really just give them an understanding of their environment and those who they come in contact with. That is the goal of early childhood education.