Sonneman1

Sylvie Sonneman

Professor Hunter

English 1201

14 February 2019

Research Paper

My niece is turning three in June and could potentially start preschool next year. My two

sisters and I attended preschool and believe it is incredibly beneficial. Remembering the

substantial impact, it had on me, I wanted to research if it would have the same positive effect on

my niece. Before going into kindergarten, children are already expected to recite the alphabet,

write and recognize their names, count from one to ten, interact with other kids, and have gained

an attention span of at least five minutes. This is a lot to expect from a child if they are not

familiar with a classroom environment. This poses the question of whether or not children that

attend organized school or preschool before kindergarten have better educational and or social

outcomes than children that do not?

I feel as if the foundation of a child’s education begins before kindergarten. Therefore,

preschool is of great significance when it comes to a child’s education as well as preparing

children for formalized school. For example, in preschool they would become familiar with a

school-like environment, interact with other kids their age, and learn essential social skills.

Preschool could be a significant factor in a child’s future. My belief is that kids that do not attend

preschool have a lower chance of achievement in school and start behind students that did. After
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discussing this topic with a teacher, I know that preschool provides age-appropriate interaction in

a school setting. This prepares children for formalized school while still allowing creative play.

(http://www.woodlandhillsprivateschool.com)

The picture above shows how fast brain development occurs. As you can see ninety

percent of brain development happens before age five while only ten percent occurs after the age

of five. Which is why a formal education environment could be beneficial for young children. It

allows their young, impressionable brains to flourish and develop in a nurturing environment

(Koegler).
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Parents generally want their child to succeed in academics. Studies suggest that

preschool can help children succeed academically. In The Effects of Universal Pre-K on

Cognitive Development by William T. Gormley Jr., Ted Gayer, Deborah Phillips, and Brittany

Dawson conducted at Georgetown University. The study shows that children who attend

preschool perform better academically than children that do not. "A careful meta-analysis of

state-funded preschool programs in 13 states found statistically significant positive impacts on

some aspect of child development (cognitive, language, or social) in all of the states.”

The number of children enrolled in full-day prekindergarten and preschool programs

increased nine percent from 1994 to 2017. Even though this figure is not particularly high, it is

encouraging to see the increasing numbers. It is somewhat troubling that the lower income areas

struggle to get children into preschool due to the high cost. Although preschool is expensive and

can range anywhere from $4,000-$13,000 a year, there are countless programs available to help

pay for childcare (“Homepage”).

Unfortunately, many people have noticed that lower-income areas do not provide the

same opportunities for preschool as higher-income areas. Luckily for future generations, this is

changing thanks to programs like the Preschool Promise. This business is increasing the

availability and affordability of preschool in Dayton and in other areas as well. Preschool

Promise helps pay for preschool with co-pays. This program also gives free books and tips to

help children continue their learning at home. More than seventy preschool sites in Dayton and

Kettering are part of the Preschool Promise (“PreschoolPromise”). Another great program is

Head Start. Head start provides learning experiences such as preschool for children from low-

income families. This allows children to grow academically and socially. Head Start helped

thirty-two million children and their families prepare for school (“HeadStart”).
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Economic factors play a role in children’s access to preschool. Children with families

from higher incomes had increased rates of preschool program enrollment. For example, in 2017,

thirty-four percent of children ages three to five living in households with incomes of $75,000 or

more were enrolled in a program, compared with twenty-four to thirty percent of children who

lived in families with incomes from $15,000 to just under $75,000 (Preschool and

Prekindergarten”). Furthermore, children of families with higher levels of education are more

likely to be enrolled in preschool programs than children with less educated parents. About

thirty-four percent of children with parents that graduated with a bachelor's degree or higher

attended preschool in 2017. This is compared to eighteen percent of children with parents who

have less than a high school degree (“Preschool and Prekindergarten”).

Studies show that the benefits of preschool include higher academic success in school

along with less grade repetition and increased high school graduation rates. Children benefit

from quality preschool programs if they are from middle-income families as well as from low-

income families. Children from low-income areas or higher risk areas are significantly impacted

by preschool.

The image below represents the effects of preschool on reading skills by family income

in Tulsa. The graph shows that children in poverty are most positively affected by pre-k because

it helps them learn reading skills and comprehensive skills. Children who qualify for free lunch

have the most significant increase of reading skills. While children who are above the poverty

level are not as impacted (Mongeau).

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(https://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/early_years/2015/10/report_middle_class_kids_need_p

reschool_too.html)

Preschool is valuable for all children but even more so for children from one-parent

households. This is because single parents do not get to spend time teaching their child. In most

cases the single parent works all day and the child does not get the learn the valuable lessons that

would be taught at preschool. Preschool would provide that child a safe place to learn and

developed. For example, that child would enhance their reading skills and learn criteria

necessary to do well in kindergarten (Mongeau).

Preschool is not only beneficial for academics but is vital for many children because it

provides a nurturing environment where they can be safe while their parents are at work. That is
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why it is essential for parents to understand the values of the program they chose. The research

conducted by Vesicle Demirtas in A Study on Teacher Candidates' Self-Efficacy, Motivation and

Affection Levels for Children done in Izmir, Turkey at Dokuz Eytul University showcased the

correlations between the levels of teachers affection for children, their beliefs, and teaching

motivations. While research that was done at Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University, School of

Vocational Services, Department of Child Care Programme, in Kahramanmaras, Turkey

discusses what values are most important to include in preschools. Five values were ranked by

the teachers from a scale of not important, slightly important, moderately important, important

and very important. The values were social responsibility, generosity, collaboration,

forehandedness, and courage.

There are certain objectives or concerns about sending children to preschool. One

specific issue that surrounds the attendance of preschool is that they have escalated the

curriculum. Preschool is straying away from creativity and asks young children to behave in

ways that are seen as unreasonable for their age. When they are unable to conform to such rules,

they may be labeled troublemakers or underachievers. This is could have a negative effect on the

child’s future.

Although many believe that preschool is becoming too structured, it does not change the

fact that kids who attend preschool programs are better prepared for kindergarten than those who

do not. Children who attend Head Start programs performed substantially better on cognitive and

social-emotional measures in kindergarten (Bauer and Schanzenbach). They also had fewer

attention problems and exhibited fewer negative behaviors. Head start children have a higher

likelihood of graduating from high school, attending college, and receiving a post-secondary

degree (Bauer and Schanzenbach).

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In spite of the studies that suggest that preschool is beneficial for academic success, it

also provides excellent social-emotional advantages. Social development is connected to many

other parts of a child’s development, which is why it is crucial to start socialization with other

children at a young age. Sending a child to preschool will give them the exposure to social

interaction that they need. This will help them reach other developmental stages. Children also

learn about discipline in preschool. A child will learn that their actions have consequences and

that they will be disciplined for their poor behavior. As their brain develops they learn what

behaviors are appropriate and which ones are not. Preschool not only teaches children the skills

they need for kindergarten, important values, appropriate responses, and discipline, it also starts

to teach new levels of responsibility at a young age. Preschool also provides the opportunity for

a consistent routine or schedule for children. A consistent schedule can aid social development.

As the child becomes more mature, it is important that they have orderliness.
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( http://ndchildcare-old.presencehost.net/providers/interactions/growth-development.html)

The graph above shows human brain development that is dependent on early experiences.

The graph shows the ages of which the brain develops sensory pathways (vision and hearing),

language and higher cognitive functions. As you can see in the trend lines the higher cognitive

development spikes at around age 1-5. This contributes to my point of that preschool is of great

importance to help developed the human brain (“Run Your Childcare: Relationships and

Interactions: Child Growth and Development.”)

Many preschool programs incorporate enriching projects and experiences designed to be

stimulating for daily activities. They allow the children to have fun every day — all the while

reinforcing the curriculum to prepare them for future success. Teachers are a critical part of
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preschool. Successful preschools have teachers that make sure every child receives the attention

and guidance that is needed for their success.

While most studies point to the benefits of preschool there are certain objections. A valid

argument could be that in some cases it is manageable for a parent to teach at home. Even though

this is true the child would not be socializing with other children like they need to be. The child

may be academically developed but they would not get the social development that is providing

at preschool.

Preschool classrooms create a sense of community. They allow children to feel secure

and be themselves in a safe environment. Learning in a classrooms also stimulates thinking and

enhances social skills. Listening to a teacher will expand a child's attention span. Being in a

school environment encourages children to be creative and develop into their own individual.

Preschool is beneficial and should be mandatory for young children. It is critical that

children learn the skills, values, lessons, and social norms that are taught in preschool. It is vital

for children to become socialized and learn how to be an individual during the young years of

their life. Preschool gives children a chance at being the most successful they can be.
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