As a parent we sometimes forget the critical components of our child’s education. Depending on what type of parent you are, you’re either all too concerned about what your child is exposed to, or you’re finding out along the way that we you are the one that is in charge of determining it. While these are entire opposite ends of the spectrum, and there are definitely parents in between, we’ve all fallen guilty to being at both sides of the spectrum, at some point or another.
When it comes to preschool, most of us can hardly remember what age we were when we were going. If you’re looking for help from your parents, they’re probably saying that they never went and turned out alright. And while it’s not unheard of for someone to have never gone to preschool, the education system has changed and the rate at which children develop has too, which is exactly why the age range for when children start going to preschool has evolved.
Age Two
The average age of children that are going to preschool across the nation is two. That may seem extremely young, but when you think about it, this is about the age where children start going to daycare. Rather than simply leaving them in the hands of a babysitter, you could be leaving your child in the care of a professional where they can learn skills that help them develop as an individual. From learning to talk to tasks like potty training, daycare centers are able to provide the time and care that little ones need in this stage.
Age Three
This is the age where people really start to consider preschool as an option for their child. At this point they are a little older and more developed and are able to stand alone socially. For the most part, children are at the end stage of their potty training, have gained an understanding of colors, animals and numbers, and can begin to actually retain some of the information that they’ve learned. This is also the age where we see parents most comfortable to leave their child with someone else.
Age Four
In the past, age four was the age that was most commonly known for preschool enrollment. For the most part, there are children that are four in preschool, but at this point in time they’re also a little older than the average age of preschoolers. In some cases, four years olds are already enrolled in kindergarten, so we suggest enrolling in preschool prior to age four.
If you have questions as to whether or not your child is a viable candidate for preschool, don’t hesitate to call Growing Kids Learning Center, we’re more than happy to help!