Preschool is often a milestone in the development of young children. The curriculum taught at this stage helps set the foundation for learning in kindergarten and beyond, and kids gain social, emotional, and intellectual skills that set them up for long-term success. If you’re uncertain about whether preschool is right for your child, consider these helpful topics that your toddler will learn in class. 

What Do Children Learn in Preschool?

1. Letters & Sounds 

Preschoolers are taught all letters of the alphabet along with their corresponding sounds. In most cases, they’ll learn uppercase letters first and start to recognize lowercase letters before entering kindergarten. They’ll focus on writing their name and sounding out one-syllable words. Educators make the concepts fun and memorable by using vocal exercises, drawing, games, and songs to teach letters and sounds. 

2. Numbers 

At this early stage, kids are learning foundational concepts that will benefit them throughout their schooling. Learning numbers starts with recognizing digits 0-9, and eventually progresses to counting small quantities of objects once kids can remember the numbers.

Preschool teachers use counting exercises and pictures to help kids recognize the digits. Soon enough, preschoolers can associate quantities with the digits and vice versa. 

3. Cutting & Drawing 

Preschool is designed to foster your child’s creativity and imagination. Paper crafts are a great way for young kids to express themselves while having fun. Preschoolers learn how to use scissors safely and they’ll get to play with pencils, pens, paper, and glue. In addition to being fun, these exercises help develop your child’s fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. 

4. Socializing with Other Kids 

Socialization is a major focus for preschool-aged kids. In many cases, preschool is the first setting where a child will have the chance to regularly meet and interact with same-aged kids. Together, kids learn how to share, collaborate, solve problems, follow directions, and talk about their feelings and needs.

Developing these skills early will greatly aid your child as they transition to kindergarten, where they may not have as much hands-on direction. Preschoolers learn how to socialize through play and interactive activities with classmates and teachers. 

If you want to enhance your child’s mental, social, and emotional skills through preschool, turn to Penn Garden Day Care Center, Inc. Since 1997, this licensed child education center has offered preschool, daycare, and a variety of enriching classes for children in Pennsylvania’s Penn Hills, Plum, Murrysville, and Monroeville. Their small class size structure ensures that each child gets hands-on care and attention. Call (412) 372-4144 to ask about enrollment or visit their website to learn more about their philosophy and services.