Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums General Discussion Why does pre-school exist?

Stand-alone, part-time preschool that is 2 1/2 - 3 hours per day two or three days a week, and then 3, 4, or 5 days a week the year of pre-K exists to prepare children for kindergarten. It provides socialization, teaches the children how to act/behave in a classroom setting, and it is the place that some children learn the alphabet, numbers, shapes, how to count, colors and letters and how to write.

It is also usually a fun place for the children. I know that one of my twins didn't learn anything new at pre-school, but he loved getting to play with the other children, doing the art projects, and just the overall "vibe" of preschool. His brother learned to write and hold a pencil correctly, two skills that he was not interested in learning at home, but needed to know for kindergarten. They both benefited from the socialization aspect, and enjoyed forming friendships with other children.

Neither one needed preschool to learn letters, numbers, colors or shapes, but they did benefit from the experience. Some of my neighbors seem to rely on the preschools to teach their children everything they need to know for kindergarten.