Having a child at home means witnessing their changes and discoveries every single day. Considering a child’s first five years are paramount for their development foundation, it’s only fair to fully invest and make the right choices for them during this period.
The opening questions are: how old is preschool? When is the right time to enroll my children in preschool?
Today, we’ll cover what is important to make sure your Little One is ready to take full advantage of going to preschool.
How Old is a Preschooler?
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), children are considered preschoolers between 3 and 5 years old.
However, this specific age range could vary, specially when it comes to daycares – the number could change according to each facility’s internal regiment.
What Makes Preschoolers Unique
The transition from toddlerhood (1 to 3 years old) to the preschool years brings significant developmental advancements.
During toddlerhood, children focus on mastering basic motor skills like walking and running, as well as foundational language development, often expressing themselves with simple words or short phrases.
In contrast, preschoolers display more refined motor skills, such as drawing and cutting, and their language evolves into more complex sentences and storytelling.
The evolution between toddlers and preschoolers
Preschool years are a transformative period in a child’s life, marked by rapid development across cognitive, motor, and social domains.
During this time, children begin to refine their thinking skills, developing problem-solving abilities and an understanding of basic concepts like numbers and letters.
Physical development
Their motor skills improve significantly, enabling more precise movements such as drawing, cutting, and climbing.
Social skills
Socially, preschoolers learn to navigate relationships, share, and cooperate with peers.
Common Questions Parents Have
As parents, we want to stimulate and encourage our child’s growth. This is an ongoing effort that will keep up during most of their childhood phases, taking place both at home, while the family is together, and while they’re out learning at school or daycare.
Proper stimulation, through play, structured activities, and positive interactions, is essential to support this growth and lay the foundation for future learning and well-being.
Is My Child Ready for Preschool?
Every educational facility has its own requirements that its future students should comply to, so parents must take a close look at those to check if their child fits its needs.
However, as a general rule, there are a few behaviors that show your child is ready to enroll in preschool.
- They don’t have a hard time being around people outside their family circle;
- They can listen to and follow instructions from people who are not Mom, Dad, or close relatives;
- They are independent to use the toilet, or ask for help for it if necessary;
- They like playing with other children;
- They can voice their needs.
All of these attributes indicate that they are ready to spend a little more time apart from Mom and Dad and still have a good time.
It’s essential that your child has some of these characteristics set because it will help them take the most advantage of their time in preschool!
How Does Preschool Influence Kindergarten?
Enrolling the child at the right preschool could have a significant impact later on their lives since preschool helps prepare children for Kindergarten by fostering growth and development in essential areas.
It provides a structured environment where children can practice routines, follow instructions, and develop a sense of independence, skills that are critical for a smooth transition to formal education.
What Should I Look for in a Preschool?
Understanding the facility’s educational methodology, its programs, how activities are distributed, and looking for the school’s reputation are some of the concerns parents should keep an eye on while finding the right place for their Little Ones.
To learn more about this, check out a comprehensive article about what parents should look for when finding a preschool.
Your Child Benefits of Starting Preschool at the Right Age!
There is a world filled with discoveries and learning experiences just waiting to be unraveled! We encourage parents to not only focus on how old a preschooler is, but create opportunities for children to develop their physical, psychological, social and motor skills.
We take this commitment seriously, that’s why we choose to incorporate methods such as STEAM into our curriculum.
AEA has more than 20 units spread around the U.S.: find our nearest location and schedule a tour! We can’t wait to be a part of your family’s future!
