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Pre-K programs benefit children in many ways

2/22/2017

5 Comments

 
PictureDr. Sarah Stelzner
Dr. Sarah Stelzner
Eskenazi Health pediatrician

A large and growing body of research shows that investing in high-quality pre-kindergarten education yields a variety of benefits for children, schools and communities. So what constitutes a quality pre-K program?

Parents should choose a learning center where they immediately see children reading or having books read to them, according to the Center for Public Education. Another important factor in choosing a successful pre-K is when you see teachers guiding learning and you notice that the room has a sense of organization, excitement and purpose. 

Quality pre-K programs can be found in a variety of settings, including schools, churches, mosques, synagogues, Head Starts and public and private child-care centers. 

An important similarity found with the best pre-K operations is a commitment to the whole child and family, with the understanding that a child cannot learn and grow if they’re undernourished or have difficulties communicating.

All pre-K programs should offer screenings for children’s vision, hearing and general health to recognize problems and arrange for appropriate referrals as soon as possible. Pre-K programs should have in place access to social services and information about proper nutrition, parenting and family support, and they should also provide children breakfast and/or lunch in order to ensure proper nutrition. 

By taking an active role in their child’s pre-K program, parents are more in tune with their children’s health at home and at their pre-school. Family members should be offered ways to be involved in the pre-K program such as parent conferences, assisting in the classroom or coming to class with their child.

Successful pre-K programs recognize and appreciate that family members are respected as a child’s first and most important educators and lead monitors of their health. Parents and educators should work as a united front in developing a well-rounded and healthy child ready to successfully advance to kindergarten and beyond. 
​
An outstanding local program is On My Way Pre-K, where applications are available for grants to eligible local children who will be 4 years old but not yet 5 on Aug. 1, and will be attending kindergarten in the 2018-19 school year. Marion County is the only local county taking part in the pilot program. Visit www.in.gov/fssa/carefinder/4932.htm for more information.

5 Comments
Tiffany Locke link
3/8/2017 12:03:10 am

Finding a pre-kindergarten program that will recognize and appreciate that family members are respected as a child's first and most important educators and lead monitors of their health is excellent advice. Being able to have qualified teachers that will help your child learn would be very useful. I would imagine that taking your child to a pre-kindergarten program will help them be prepared for school both educationally and socially as well as help keep them healthy.

Reply
Koutney Jensen link
5/18/2017 01:14:17 pm

I've been thinking about whether or not to put my daughter into kindergarten/ learning program. I found your article very helpful. A point you made that I really like is that a good program not only thinks about the child but also the family. Having the family/ parents be a part of the process benefits the child so much. They encourage communication which will help them as the continue to grow. I'll be passing this information on to my husband to put his mind at ease a bit.

Reply
Amanda Drew link
9/12/2017 04:44:53 pm

That's good to know that good pre-K classes can be found just about everywhere from churches to schools to private child-care centers. My daughter is very eager to learn, but she's not old enough for kindergarten yet. I'll have to find some pre-k classes to enroll her in to get her learning and growing.

Reply
Michaela Hemsley link
8/14/2019 01:25:56 pm

I like that you said that by taking an active role in their child’s pre-K program, parents are more in tune with their children’s health at home and at their pre-school. I am thinking about putting my son in a pre-k school program because I think that it would be good for him to start learning early and help him get used to school. I think it would be nice to find ways to be involved with his program because I would like to be involved in his education and I think it would also help him be more comfortable at school if I could be there sometimes too.

Reply
Shaylee Packer link
3/9/2020 08:38:25 am

As you mentioned, you should choose a pre-k program where you can see a different variety of reading going on. My son will be preschool age next year, and he is really wanting to do preschool. I am excited that he is excited to learn. We will have to keep these tips in mind as we choose the right program for him.

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