Once your child reaches the toddler stage, the next big step that you're preparing for is preschool. And, the biggest question most parents ask about this topic is its necessity. Do kids really need to go to preschool? How essential is it?
Then, they ask the specifics: If preschool has benefits, what age should kids need to be to start preschool? How do they register? And what is the best curriculum for preschool children?
Parents will ask endlessly about preschool. Fortunately, we've done the digging for you, so you won't have to. This article will give you all the information you'll need about the topic. So, if you want to know more, keep reading.
What Is Preschool
From the word prefix of the word "pre," it's easy to understand that preschool is where you send your children to before they start going to the "big" schools. It's usually shorter hours, lesser kids, and more play time than study time. Well, that's the perception most parents have about it - that preschool is pure play and no study.
What not many parents understand is that play is actually the school's mode of teaching. It's through play that children learn how to socialise and communicate with others, how to solve problems, and how to make sense of their environment. And, it's for this reason that preschool is not only recommended but necessary for kids. So, when they take their big steps toward the big schools, they will be ready.
So, with that, let's tackle the different benefits of going to preschool.
Advantages of Preschool
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Adjusting to structured learning
The difference between learning things from home and in preschools is that in schools, learning has a clear structure.
Upon stepping into the classroom, kids need to follow routines, schedules, and rules. Teachers teach them where to put their bags, when to put away toys, when to eat, and even where to eat. They sing together and read together.
With this structured learning, kids learn proper decorum and proper behaviour. They get to understand that everything has a schedule and that everything has a place and time.
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Socialising with other children and adults
If you are a first-time mum, your child most likely has interactions with adults. When they get used to that, they might get culture-shocked upon getting to big schools because interacting with similar-aged children is different.
You'd have to get them used to talk to other children their age, and preschool is the best place to do that. They will learn vital social skills like consideration for others and verbal and non-verbal communication.
Kids who have social anxiety issues will benefit from being exposed to children their age and adults on a regular basis too. The constant interaction with classmates and teachers can help build their self-confidence and feel more at ease at being around more people.
Kids who attend preschool may also develop better behavioural skills, like learning how to listen when someone else is speaking, how to sit still for longer periods of time, how to work in groups, or how to work alone.
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Getting a head start on academics
Children will learn the basics at preschool - numbers, letters, shapes, colours - and all in a warm and non-pressuring environment.
It's non-pressuring because children are not graded based on whether they can count from 1 to 10. What preschool teachers note during this stage of your child's life is their behaviour: how quickly they can pick up instructions, how well they socialise with their classmates, and what their learning styles are, among a few.
If you and your partner are both working individuals, preschool can also help expose your children to a wide range of learning activities that you may not have the luxury to do with them, like arts and crafts, music, drama, and storytelling.
And, when your child learns what they ought to learn by the end of preschool, they'll be much more prepared for the big school.
What to Expect with Preschools
From what we've discussed so far, preschool clearly has many benefits. But, before you enrol your child, consider these things first:
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Be ready for the costs
The multitude of things that your child can learn in a preschool is going to cost you, no matter where you put your kids. You're just going to have to accept that. So, if your child is still an infant, you can start saving up for their school now, so there is less pressure once that time comes.
Preschools in Singapore can cost between S$325 to S$5000 per month. The more prestigious the school is, the pricier it gets. The reason schools are so costly is because these institutions are serious about your child's formation and security. They go as far as hiring specialists for your children.
Say your child has special needs; the preschool you are eyeing has a program for kids like yours - and that's added cost to them just to accommodate more diverse students.
On top of your child's tuition, you're going to have to pay for books, uniforms, field trips, school buses (if any), and class pictures.
The good news is there are about 1800 preschools in Singapore. So, finding one that will fit your needs financially is not going to be a problem.
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Find one that's close
The location of a school is often a dealbreaker for many parents. The preschool can have the best program, the tightest security, and the best price offering, but if it's miles away from home, you might need to take a step back and reconsider.
Why is location important? Especially now that the pandemic seems to be coming to an end, and every school is bringing face-to-face classes back, you're going to save a lot from travel expenses by choosing a preschool closer to your home. Preschools are already expensive enough on their own; the least is you can try to save those few bucks left for more important things.
Also, a closer school means your child won't need to wake up extra early just to get there. And, it will take you only a short time to reach your child should emergencies happen.
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Choose a program that best fits your child's needs
With the advances in technology and education today, you can expect to see a wide range of programs that preschools offer. The reason for this is that preschools are interested in developing your child as a whole. And there are plenty of programs to consider:
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- Montessori
- Reggio Emilia
- Waldorf Steiner
- Play-based Learning
- Theory of Multiple Intelligences
- Art-based
- Mandarin-focused
- Nurturing Early Learners Framework
We have more in-depth resources for each type of program that many preschools in Singapore offer, so feel free to indulge yourself. We highly recommend you do your research for the best program to put your child in, as this can determine their learning for the rest of their academic lives.
Take some time to get to know each program, and don't forget to inquire about your prospective preschools and how they set out to follow such programs.
Alright, mums and dads. Do you think you're set to send your kids to preschool? Hopefully, with this guide, you will feel more ready. Always think of your child before considering any preschool. Good luck!
Updates from Kim Brua
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