Preschool gives children an opportunity to develop vocabulary, language and cognitive skills, according to Linda Broatch on the Great Schools website. Classroom discussions, music, art, reading and other interactive activities help to strengthen cognitive skills. Children also learn how to be students; they learn that school is made of routines and there are expectations and rules to follow. These effects will provide benefits to children as they start kindergarten and continue their educational career.
Preschool can have a positive effect on children's physical development. Dexterity and coordination may improve through learning activities and play. The availability of developmental equipment that may not be found in the home, such as balance beams or jungle gyms, give children an opportunity to improve coordination skills. Recess is scheduled into the preschool day so all children can have the opportunity to get physical activity. Some children who are very physically active, boys in particular, may find it difficult to sit still during times of instruction.
Preschool gives children an opportunity to learn to cope with periods of separation from a parent or caregiver. Some children may find this separation stressful and have trouble adjusting. Important social skills such as self-control, anger management, patience, sharing and empathy for others can be developed during preschool. However, preschool can have unintended social consequences if children pick up undesirable social behaviors from peers, as Gwen Dewar reports on the website Parenting Science. Smaller class sizes and high-quality teachers increase the probability that preschool children will have a positive social and emotional experience.
According to W. Steven Barnett, writing for the National Institute for Early Education Research, a quality preschool program can lead to long-term academic success, higher standardized test scores and reduced grade retention rates. Barnett also suggests that some preschool programs may lead to a reduction in criminal behavior later in life. Low-income children seem to benefit the most from preschool.