Debunking the Most Common Myths about Preschool
Is your child approaching the age where you need to begin thinking about enrolling him or her in preschool? If so, then you may be wondering whether or not preschool enrollment is the best choice for your child and his or her future. And I decided to devote my article to this important topic for each parent - children. Before you make a decision, however, it’s important that you understand the truth behind some common preschool education myths.
The Most Popular Myths of Preschool Education
Myth 1: Only Children from Low-Income Families Benefit
One commonly perpetuated myth about preschool education is that it really only benefits children who come from low-income families. The idea here is that these children benefit more from a preschool education because they otherwise don’t have as much of an opportunity to learn at home as children from higher-income families do. However, according to a report from the National Institute for Early Education Research, children across all socio-economic statuses benefit similarly from preschool education.
Myth 2: Preschool is Too Expensive
One common reason why parents choose not to enroll their children in preschool is that they think it’s too expensive or that they cannot afford it. After all, preschool isn’t technically a part of the nation’s primary school system, so access to this type of early education often comes with an expense. Still, for those who are below a certain income level or otherwise have trouble affording preschool for their children, it’s important to note that there are Federal and state aid programs available and some preschool facilities will charge on a sliding scale based on income.
Myth 3: Preschool is Unnecessary for Kids with Work-From-Home Parents
If you’re a stay-at-home parent, you may be thinking that preschool is unnecessary because you can easily take care of your child at home. However, it’s important not to look at preschool as a babysitting service; even if you work from home or are a stay-at-home parent, your child can benefit from preschool by learning the skills that he or she needs to succeed in kindergarten and beyond. Your child will also learn valuable social skills while interacting with other children in a preschool environment.
Myth 4: Preschools Don’t Have a Set Curriculum
Finally, if you think preschool consists of your child simply playing with other kids in a supervised setting all day, think again. Any reputable preschool program, like Apple Montessori Schools, will have its own meticulous curriculum that instructors will carefully adhere to, just like a primary or secondary school would have.
Don’t Be Afraid of Preschool
Attending a preschool doesn’t show your family income as well as your child’s status. Besides, it benefits all students; not only those who cannot be provided with proper education at home.
Moreover, preschool education is affordable for low-income families because there are special aid programs.
They say that a preschool is unnecessary if parents work from home because they can provide their children with proper care. But they should take into account that the child should also learn valuable social skills. It goes without saying that children must communicate with their peers.
