Why is Kindergarten Important? Five Things Parents Need to Know
Research shows kindergarten plays a significant role in the academic and social development of young children. In kindergarten, children learn cognitive, emotional, and social skills to help them explore their environments and better understand the world around them.
Kindergarten provides various age-appropriate and engaging experiences that are not always available to children at home or in daycare centers. By choosing the right school, your child can enjoy these experiences, and you will set them up for success in the years to come.
Language and Cognitive Skills
Kindergarten exposes children to a more language-rich environment that ultimately helps develop their vocabulary and conversation skills. Regular verbal interactions with other students and teachers provide opportunities to grow in word usage and comprehension. From singing songs to storytime, children absorb and practice all kinds of new words and sentences.
Teachers also help develop cognitive skills in kindergarten students. Asking questions, telling stories, and describing hobbies and interests are just a few ways teachers help stimulate learning. Kindergarten students explore the world around them by developing fine motor skills through play, art, music, and movement.
Social and Emotional Skills
Kindergarten is more than just the alphabet and numbers. In kindergarten, children learn how to have healthy interactions with others, make friends, follow directions, resolve conflict, manage their emotions, and more. Building strong social and emotional skills helps strengthen self-confidence that often translates into positive experiences throughout their school years.
Reading and Math Skills
Learning the proper reading and math skills early on is vital to student success in school. Teachers give students activities such as sorting and matching numbers, counting games, and other tasks to increase their knowledge of numbers. For reading, students learn to recognize letters and sounds, memorize simple words, build simple sentences, photo and word associations, and more.
Learning Independence
Kindergarten is an excellent opportunity for students to learn to take care of themselves and be more independent. In kindergarten, children learn to care for themselves by doing tasks like unpacking their backpacks and lunch boxes, organizing personal belongings, putting away supplies, and so forth. Practicing these types of skills helps students gain responsibility as independent learners.
Exploring their Curiosity
As little sponges soaking up everything around them, kindergarten offers a structured and safe space for little minds to channel their creativity and to be curious! Teachers use creative play, child-friendly toys, and all kinds of activities to make the learning experience fun and engaging.
Because your child deserves the best quality early childhood education, be sure to enroll them in the best kindergarten. Visit www.tylerisd.org/kinder for more information.
