Choosing Education Every Day

Preschool Child Care And What Your Young Student Will Learn

Preschool child care is much more than someone who simply watches your little one while you're away. Yes, daycare offers professional supervision when you can't be with your child. But, it's so much more. Preschool programs offer your child the chance to learn and develop in many different ways. Through a carefully planned curriculum the early childhood educator creates a series of lessons and activities that build the young child's knowledge base and improve existing skills. What can your child learn during the preschool day?

Science

Physics, biology, chemistry and earth sciences are all part of many preschool programs. This doesn't mean your child is sitting down with a high school-level textbook and taking physics lessons. Instead, the teacher creates activities that help your child to explore basic concepts. Something as seemingly simple as dropping a ball and watching gravity take its effect can help your young student to learn a valuable science lesson. From nature walks to exploring color mixing during art time, preschoolers are playing with science all day long.

Math

Again, there are no high school-level activities in preschool. That said, your child will learn the basics. This includes counting (through the number 10), recognizing shapes, patterning, measuring and maybe even trying out a few easy addition problems. Preschool math is a hands-on experience. This means that the students take abstract mathematical concepts and bring them into a tangible, real-life focus. Your child may count small toys, add by using beads or explore geometry with shape building blocks.

Reading and Writing

Words are everywhere in the preschool classroom. And, this is entirely intentional. Surrounding the young students with print helps them to get familiar with letters and expands their literacy learning. During the preschool child care day it's likely that your little learner will hear (and see) stories that the teacher reads, have the chance to page through books on their own and play with writing utensils. Older preschoolers may start writing a few letters (such as the first letter of their name), while younger children practice by scribbling or drawing with pencils, markers and crayons.

The Arts

Music, visual arts, drama and dance are all part of the preschooler's day. That doesn't mean every preschooler will get to explore every aspect of art each day. But, most schools provide kids with the chance to try activities in these areas regularly. These may include formal lessons, such as putting on a class play, drawing portraits or creating a class band along with less formal activities (such as free drawing time, dress-up area or listening to music during other activities).

Along with these content areas some preschool programs also offer lessons and activities in social studies, foreign languages, health and physical education. Keep in mind, the specific content areas your child's preschool covers depends on what the administration and staff thinks are important, as well as the school's educational philosophy. Contact a preschool, like Wooden Shoe Pre-School & Pre-Kindergarten, for more help.


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