With the kind of fancy adverts and high fees we see for preschools and playschools these days, we would be forgiven for thinking that these places would be handing out PhDs at the very least. The sort of time, effort and money parents expend to get their kids into ‘prestigious’ playschool also points to this being a big deal. Are playschools all they are cracked up to be? Are they really so important for kids? And what is the right age to initiate a child to playschool?
Playschool is different from preschool and has more to do with socialising than learning. The socialising factor is the most vital function of what maybe referred to as nursery or playschool. It isn't so much about familiarity with the alphabet and numbers so much as learning to be around people who aren't family. At home, the child is surrounded by a familiar environment and people. On the other hand in playschool, the child learns to deal with new people, makes friends and learns social skills and communication. These are difficult to impart at home when a child is used to having all their needs met; often even without even having to communicate.
Not only does this help the child get used to meeting and dealing with other adults and kids, but it also gives them a sense of routine and structure. There is a sense of having to get ready each morning and actually going to another place for several hours, feeding themselves, telling an attendant about the need to go the loo and so on. This helps a child develop a certain sense of autonomy.
At playschool kids learn to play alongside and with other kids. They are introduced to concepts such as sharing which they may not have been familiar with at home. Preschool can also be a lot of fun. A well-equipped and supervised playschool can be developmentally advantageous for a child. The child can have access to educational toys, improve their vocabulary and verbal skills in playschool. Meanwhile, the mother or home caregiver can have some much-needed respite from a curious, energetic and demanding toddler for a few hours each day.
There are those who believe that kids should be allowed to enjoy unstructured days before they go to preschool and then school. After all, they will never be kids again so why start scheduling them so early in life – let kids be kids. Many kids also find playschool difficult – being away from home and caregivers may be traumatic and the schedule may be difficult.
Some parents also find that soon after starting playschool their child seems to fall ill more frequently. It could be argued that the child would do well to develop immunity but some parents would prefer not to take that chance. Also, some playschools may be very expensive, another issue that could be an inhibiting factor.
And this brings us to the question – when is a good time to start a child out with playschool. Experts believe that kids between 2 and 4 are a good fit for playschool. Parents can take a call based on how receptive a child seems to the idea of being in a place with other kids.
And no, playschool is not necessary. Many kids do quite well at home and manage to transition to the school environment without much difficulty. The important thing is to remember that there are no hard and fast rules --- kids progress at their own pace. One of my children went to playschool and is now among the older kids in class which for kids can be an enjoyable feeling. My second child did not go to playschool and is faring just as well.
Parents would do well to remember this and not feel that there is pressure to get their child into school early or into X or Y school. Parents should remember that getting into school is not a race; that children could actually benefit from starting school a little later than their peers. So yes, playschool is important, but it is certainly not a one-size-fits-all solution.
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