One of the decisions that many parents find daunting is if they need to send their children to preschool. While it is definitely a tough choice, sending a child to preschool offers a plethora of benefits. Find out if going the preschool route is the best decision. Read the following preschool pros and cons to help you make the right choice.

PROS

Preschool offers a learning environment away from home

It is true that the foundation of learning begins at home. The familiar environment at home provides children with plenty of opportunities for exploration. On the other hand, what preschool offers is a formal learning environment that is difficult to emulate at home. Preschools have a structured curriculum which allows children to learn skills that help set them on the path for future success. Also, there are plenty of other things that young kids can learn from preschool they can’t at home.

It provides a place to practice social skills

Making friends and interacting with other children are some of the most important parts of a child’s social development. Preschool provides children with more opportunities to do it. In a preschool setting, young kids can socialize better. They are given activities that let them play, interact and work together with other kids their age. In a typical home, children only get to socialize when play dates are organized or when they have neighbors to play with. In the safe and friendly environment of a preschool setting, children learn how to resolve their own conflicts. It is also in a preschool that children can develop life long friendships.

It provides more opportunities for exploration

While home-based learning helps build the foundation for a child’s growth and development, the opportunities it provides are limited. Preschool provides the same exploration opportunities and more!  In preschool, children have access to advanced learning options. The curriculum is designed in a way where children have the chance to read, write and learn while having fun. They are given activities that teach them the fundamentals of counting, the alphabet, creating art, and a lot more!

It helps children form relationships with adults they can trust

Young children usually cling to their parents because they feel like they are the only adults they can trust. And because they are so used to being with you, even relatives and other family members may feel foreign to them. By sending your child to preschool, it will be easier for them to develop relationships with other adults. They will gradually feel that it’s okay to not have you around as they begin to trust other adults.

It provides exposure to new experiences

Preschool provides children with learning experiences outside the four corners of the classroom. They get exposed to new experiences as they go on field trips and visit fire stations, police stations and other significant community events. Most of these experiences are something they don’t have access to at home.

CONS

Preschool is expensive

Most preschools don’t come cheap. While there are some that offer scholarships, most have a set tuition rate which parents pay before their children can be enrolled. It’s not just the tuition. There are other fees outside the tuition costs. There’s the security deposits, registration fees, field trip costs, school supplies and more.

It may increase children’s exposure to illnesses

Like any other school setting, preschool may increase the risk of children getting sick. Being with other kids may increase your child’s likelihood to get sick, if they do not have a strong immune system.

Sending your little one to preschool may entail a few disadvantages. However, they are nothing compared to the wonderful benefits of preschool. Make sure you are choosing the right preschool for your child and enroll them in Young Scholars Academy. Please feel free to give us a call for more information.

With Thanksgiving around the corner, many of us will be gathering with our families. This will be an excellent time to share stories, and listen to grandparents talk about family history. Because wonderful and interesting stories get passed around during this time of the year, November is called the National Family Stories Month.

It is exciting to have this celebration, but the National Family Stories Month is not just about collecting and sharing family stories. It’s also about preserving family traditions. Be sure to enjoy and make the most of the National Family Stories Month with these brilliant ideas!

Share stories about your childhood

One of the most interesting stories everybody loves listening to is the story of your childhood. Share your fondest memories of when you were your kids’ age. What were the funniest things you did? What was the most memorable? Reminiscing on your childhood is a fun way to bring laughter to the group. Make it more exciting by flipping through old photo albums and showing photos of when you were younger.

Talk about your family traditions

Family traditions are important because they strengthen family bonds. Share with the younger members of the family the traditions you’ve kept. Explain why you have maintained them. Even if they are as simple as saying a prayer before a Thanksgiving meal, putting up a Christmas tree or hanging stockings on Christmas Eve, these traditions are always meaningful.

Document memories

It’s always fun to relive the good old days, especially when the memories were documented. Continue to add entries and include your children’s. Keep their baby photos and take note of important milestones. They would love to hear funny stories of when they were little. These keepsakes are something that your child will cherish for the rest of their lives.

Ask grandma and grandpa to share the story of how they met

Another exciting story the family would love is the story of how grandma and grandpa met. Times were different so many years ago and it would be interesting to find out your grandparents’ love story. During their time, communication wasn’t easy. There were no mobile phones or internet and it’s romantic to learn about courtship from back then.

Listen to some good, old music

There will always be those songs that bring feelings of nostalgia when played. Play the songs that bring back good memories, or ones that you danced to back in the day! Does your family have a favorite song to sing or dance to? Find a record or a CD of that music and put it on! Tell the younger members how it all started and share this tradition with them.

Play a movie the entire family has always loved watching

Did your family have a favorite TV show or childhood movie when you were growing up? Why don’t you watch it together? No matter how old it is, nothing’s more fun than everyone gathered around while watching a family favorite!

Start a new tradition with your kids

Aside from the existing family traditions, it’s also a good idea to start a new tradition with your kids. You can bake a favorite cookie recipe or learn a new game. Any activity will do as long as it creates new wonderful memories together.

Family stories are some of the best things that bind us for years and years. Continue to celebrate them while you create new family memories together! Use this guide and make use of these ideas to make your National Family Stories Month more fun and meaningful!