What is the purpose of preschool education?

Preschool education is the start of a child’s structured academic journey. It can start as early as nursery or preschool where children learn basic skills essential for everyday life, such as washing their hands or brushing their teeth. Even from a young age it’s so important for children to be in education because it’s a vital part of their life. Nursery is where children learn colours, the alphabet and first start learning numbers. I believe it shapes their lives and gives them incredible opportunities that they may not necessarily get at home.  Researchers claim that attending a good pre-school and primary has more impact on children’s academic progress than their gender or family background. (Lipsett, A. 2008) Preschool education is brilliant for children because it is building them up for the first 13+ years of their lives. It gets you into a set routine pattern which prepares a child for primary school so it is less of a change when they come around to moving up.

Preschool programs are particularly successful in giving children from vulnerable families a boost, putting them on even footing with more affluent families as they prepare to start school. Preschool also helps to develop children’s executive function skills: the ability to hold and manipulate information in the brain, plan and regulate one’s behaviour, problem-solve, and be creative. Emotional self-regulation skills: the ability to adapt behaviours depending on the situation, to control impulses and to shift attention. Self-regulation in learning skills: the ability to postpone immediate satisfaction to attain long-term goals, sustain attention, be persistent, and remain concentrated.

References:

Lipsett, A. (2008) Nursery and primary school are more important than home environment, study shows. Online at: https://www.theguardian.com/profile/anthealipsett Accessed [24/02/19] The Guardian. 

Encyclopaedia on Early Childhood Development (2012) Preschool programs Online at: http://www.child-encyclopedia.com/preschool-programs [Accessed; 24/02/19]