Episode 4: Why I Love Preschool as a PARENT
Why do I love preschool as a PARENT? Today, we’re talking about how preschool has made a difference in my child’s life, and my advice to other parents considering enrolling their child in preschool. Every parent wants their child to thrive, so here’s how preschool can help!
Episode Highlights:
1. Why I love preschool as a parent
2. How it’s made a difference in my child
3. My advice to future preschool parents
Resources Mentioned:
FREE Kindergarten Readiness Checklist
https://view.flodesk.com/pages/6070813a1717a7a075fd2e35
Connect with your podcast host:
https://www.instagram.com/chanty.macias
https://www.chantymacias.com/contact
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Hey, hey everyone! You’re listening to Episode 4 and we’re diving into why I love preschool as a parent, how it’s made a difference in my child, and my advice to other parents considering enrolling their child in preschool. If your child is in preschool or you’re thinking about what skills your child needs to master before Kindergarten, I have a super helpful Kinder Readiness checklist you can grab in the show notes and start working on today. I’m all about keeping it simple, so let’s get to it!
Why I love preschool as a parent: Preschool has been such an incredible experience for both my daughter and I. We did homeschool preschool which means I started teaching her at home all the way through the preschool years, enrolled her in a formal PK program and then she began Kindergarten. Our journey looked very similar to what you would see in a formal preschool setting but I recreated it at home. I had the flow of the classroom with art, sensory, literacy and math centers, a library, and simple materials we already had in our house. I created a similar schedule that included a morning circle time, sensory bin invitation to play, handwriting practice, literacy and math activity, outdoor play time, an extension activity that included art, music or science and ended with reading books together.
It was definitely a time of growth, discovery, and building a strong foundation for her future. When we decided to enroll her in a Pre-K program, we wanted a place where she felt supported and loved while gaining the social skills she needed. We found the perfect one close to our house that helped her learn so many new concepts and enhanced the education I had already given her. As a parent, I couldn’t be happier witnessing her development in such a nurturing and supportive environment. She had the best teachers, sense of community and academic support system.
During her preschool time, she was given a structured routine that helped her learn important life skills like following directions, time management, organization and responsibility. I honestly feel like it prepared her for the transition to Kindergarten and gave her the foundation she needed to continue to higher grade levels. Her teachers instilled a sense of ownership and discipline that has made a difference even in her daily habits at home. As a parent, I appreciate the structure and stability preschool gave us all.
How it’s made a difference in my child: One of the ways I noticed preschool made a real difference in my daughter was the opportunity for social interaction. Seeing her make new friends and build relationships with others who are not in our immediate family was incredible. Preschool gave my daughter a safe and structured place to make friends, share and communicate with others. Watching her form those early bonds and develop the social skills she needed has been amazing.
Another thing I realized really made a difference was the emphasis on play and holistic development. Her preschool created an environment where the children were able to explore their interests, grow their cognitive abilities and express their creativity through play. They had so many fun and engaging activities for them to do throughout the day that the children were never bored and rarely had any behavior issues. My child was able to discover her passions, new hobbies and the way she enjoyed learning. To see her thrive in that kind of setting was everything to this mama. There is nothing greater than to see your baby grow socially, emotionally, creatively, and academically all at once.
To add to that last point, I will say this. Preschool has had a profound impact on my daughter’s confidence and independence, which is pretty much the goal of parenting, right? She gained a sense of autonomy and is now able to make her own choices and express herself. She takes pride in her accomplishments and takes on new challenges with excitement which is so rewarding to see. She believes in herself and now I can continue encouraging and motivating her at home.
My advice to future preschool parents: Parents, if you’re considering enrolling your kiddo in preschool, here’s a little advice. Embrace the changes and be flexible. Know that things will constantly keep changing but take advantage of the time because it goes by fast. Use those opportunities to talk to them and encourage them to try new things and be curious. Take the time to research different places to find the right fit for you and your family. Be an active participant in your child’s education and don’t assume it’s the teacher’s job to teach them all the things. You’ll be surprised how far a great partnership can go.
Remember, if you need help deciding which preschool is best for your littles or how you can start at home, I’m only a click away. Message me on Instagram @chanty.macias and let me know how I can help!