As parents, we want to make sure our kids get opportunities to learn, grow, play, and develop properly. For this, most of us strive to provide our kids with the best learning and education opportunities – be it extracurricular classes, online classes, camps, preschool, after-school, etc.
However, with so many avenues available, it becomes hard to differentiate them from each other. For instance, one of the most burning questions we at NurtureKids have been asked by parents is the difference between preschool and kindergarten. Indeed, what is preschool vs kindergarten?
Both preschool and kindergarten in the US “seem to be” the basic education one should put their child through. However, there are underlying fundamental differences between preschool and kindergarten in the US. While the usage of each term varies from country to country, in the United States, here is what preschool means:
“An early childhood program offered to children before they begin compulsory education.” (Wikipedia, 2021)
A preschool program in the United States focuses on ensuring readiness within children aged 2-5 years old usually. The idea for preschool programs arises from the fact that the human brain can absorb bouts of knowledge and information during the ages of 2-5. With a proven emphasis on the importance of shaping a child’s mind during the first three years to create foundations, preschools can ensure long-term effects on improving learning outcomes for children.
Preschool education benefits children by allowing them ‘interaction’ and ‘playtime’, both of which are imperative to child development. With the US preschool system prioritizing individualism and independence as part of education, preschools can help set the building blocks to ensure kids are more empowered to make their own decisions. The belief behind this model is that ‘children’s play’ should be considered as their ‘work’, which allows them to fulfill their unique developmental needs as well.
The emphasis on ‘play’ within preschools also helps children engage in decision-making away from parents, and amidst strangers. As mentioned by Dr. Peter Gray, Boston College professor and an expert on the evolution of play and its vital role in child development, “playing with other children, away from adults, is how children learn to make their own decisions, control their emotions and impulses, see from others’ perspectives, negotiate differences with others, and make friends.” (Wikipedia, 2021)
With a low student-teacher ratio of 12 students per group, preschools focus on personal, social, economic, and emotional development through communication and play. Most preschools are fully or partially funded by state education agencies and are operated in schools or under the direction of state and local education agencies. Preschools are especially helpful for children with certain disadvantages in terms of their background, access to resources, etc.
On the other hand, kindergarten in the United States means the following:
“A preschool educational program to help children transition from home to school offered as part of compulsory education.”
A kindergarten program in the United States is usually part of the K-12 educational system and lasts for about a year for children aged 5. Translating from German to mean ‘garden for children,’ kindergarten emphasizes social skills and self-esteem and strives to develop an academic ability in children.
As the first formal step in education, kindergarten tends to be structured more formally compared to preschool. Children can begin to develop skills that revolve around numeracy, literacy, global awareness, culture, etc. – all of which prove detrimental in higher education. Education techniques do tend to be similar to preschool in that they involve more play and exploration methods. With the belief that the ‘play modes’ of kindergarten are likely to allow for more growth compared to the learning that takes place otherwise throughout the day, there is an increasing emphasis on a healthy mix of ‘play’ and didactic academic instructions, especially at all-day kindergartens. It is imperative to maintain a healthy balance for children to extract and grow properly.
Kindergartens offer a variety of options, from all-day instruction to a few hours on certain days of the week. The programs, while not as customizable as preschool programs, strive to provide options of learning that cater to the unique needs of each child. With most kindergartens in the United States following a ‘High/Scope Learning’ method, children engage in interactive activities that compel kids to take responsibility for their learning. An example of it would be the ‘plan, do, review’ approach followed by teachers alongside activities that are age-appropriate and initiate learning. This learning model also allows children to learn to freely interact with teachers and critically review the activities completed in large groups at the end of the day.
To sum it up, preschools are:
Whereas kindergarten is:
● For children aged 5
● First introduction to an amalgamation of play and academic learning for kids
● Part of formal K-12 education in most states across the United States
● Emphasis on self-awareness and responsibility through play and academics
● Offered with choice in time preferences (all-day, half-day) to cater to your child
Which one is the best for you and your child? Do comment below and let us know!
Sources:
Wikipedia contributors. “Preschool.” Wikipedia, 17 Oct. 2021, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preschool.
“Difference between Preschool and Kindergarten.” Preschool vs Kindergarten, www.differencebetween.info/difference-between-preschool-and-kindergarten. Accessed 28 Oct. 2021.
Hasa, By. “Difference Between Preschool and Kindergarten | Meaning, Usage in Different Countries.” Pediaa.Com, 7 June 2016, pediaa.com/difference-between-preschool-and-kindergarten.
“Kindergarten in the United States | K12 Academics.” K12 Academics, www.k12academics.com/school-grades/kindergarten. Accessed 28 Oct. 2021.
Tasner, Micheal. “Preschool vs. Pre-Kindergarten: Similarities and Differences.” The Pillars Christian Learning Center, 10 Jan. 2019, www.thepillarsclc.com/preschool-vs-pre-kindergarten.
Thompson, Van. “The Difference Between Pre-School and Kindergarten.” Classroom.Synonym, 5 June 2020, classroom.synonym.com/difference-between-preschool-kindergarten-12268721.html.
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