You’ve probably heard about the many benefits of attending pre-K, from the curriculum, to the social and emotional development, to the literacy skills they develop, and the growth you can see in your child. But you may have also wondered, “Do they really need to go every day?”
When our lives get busy, it may sometimes seem easier to keep your child at home. You might think, “it’s just pre-K, it’s ok if we miss a few days. We’ll make up for it next year in kindergarten.” But if this becomes a habit, it can disrupt your child’s learning journey. Here are a few reasons why.
- Disruptions to the routine. Part of the way that pre-K sets children up for success later in school and in life is by getting them used to a routine. Children at this age thrive on routine, and the pre-K day is planned around that. If a child is kept home, it disrupts their routine, and it may be harder for them to readjust. They might also miss out on social development, time to build friendships, and important parts of the curriculum.
- Impacts on relationships. As we mentioned before, children develop relationships with their teachers and fellow students in pre-K. If they are missing school, they may fall behind in those relationships. When they come back, they may find that dynamics changed while they were gone. And they may be more hesitant to socialize.
- Gaps in the curriculum. A high-quality pre-K program has a curriculum that is designed for children in this age group. Each week builds on the previous one. Throughout the year, children will participate in fun, hands-on activities that integrate their learning objectives with other skills. Teachers are trained to follow a child’s interests, build on previous knowledge, and provide real world experience based on that knowledge. If a child isn’t in school, they might not get as much out of the curriculum because of the content they missed.
- Missing out on the fun! According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, “Play is essential to development because it contributes to the cognitive, physical, social, and emotional well-being of children and youth.” A good pre-K curriculum incorporates play into every day – not just free play, but structured games as well. The beauty of this is that your child is having fun and learning, not to mention moving around and getting exercise.
Being on time
Another challenge to your child’s learning can be getting to school late on a regular basis. Unlike more informal daycare settings, pre-K has a specific schedule and routine. Students arrive at a set time and get settled, then teachers use a variety of interactive activities to engage children in learning throughout the day. Large group activities like story time, small group learning led by teachers and children, and independent choice time constructed with the children’s interests in mind are a part of every day.
If a child is habitually late, they may feel self-conscious or uncertain when they see their friends are already engaged in activities. It may be harder for them to jump in with their friends and lessons. We know things happen, and it’s okay to be late sometimes. Just try not to make it a habit!
But what if a child is sick?
If your child is sick, then this is a different set of concerns. Of course, you don’t want your child to miss out on all the great benefits listed above. However, if they are sick, they need time to rest and recover. And it’s also necessary to protect the other children and teachers in the classroom from contagious illnesses.
Illness policies may vary depending on your school, community or state. According to HealthyChildren.org, an online resource from the American Academy of Pediatrics, you should keep your child home from school if:
- They have a fever above 101 degrees Fahrenheit within the past 24 hours, or
- They have had episodes of vomiting or diarrhea within the past 24 hours, or
- They are not well enough to participate in class.
They add, “Families should always follow their local school, district or state guidance on school attendance, which may differ.” So check the parent handbook or give your childcare center a call if you are unsure.
We know it can be challenging – juggling a busy schedule, making sure your child is ready for school on time, and making sure they are healthy and ready to learn. We hope this post has given you some helpful tips for getting the most out of pre-K for your child.
Did you know? September is National Attendance Awareness Month. The goal is to help educators and parents make school a place that students want to be. Learn more at https://www.edmentum.com/articles/attendance-awareness-month/.
About MECK Pre-K
MECK Pre-K is high-quality pre-K open to all four-year-old children in Mecklenburg County at no cost to families. Classrooms are located in licensed childcare centers and taught by licensed teachers and highly qualified assistant teachers. You can apply online at MeckPreK.org.
Do you have a child who is not old enough for pre-K this year? Sign up for our email list and be notified when they’re eligible for MECK Pre-K. Simply go to MECKPrek.org/future-meck-pre-k-students and select your child’s age group.