A preschool environment lets children build relationships with peers and adults outside their family. Developing a friendship with another child based on common interests or style of play is a learned skill and one that doesn't come naturally for all children. Preschool also requires kids to interact and resolve conflicts with peers, even those who they might not otherwise be friends with. Learning to relate appropriately to children and adults of different temperaments, interests and skill levels builds social confidence and adaptability.
Articulation, vocabulary and speaking confidence are important skills that a preschool environment strengthens. During preschool, teachers encourage children to verbally participate in stories and projects, by themselves and within larger groups. Participating in a larger verbal display, like singing songs or reciting nursery rhythms with classmates, verbally and audibly connects children to peers and gives them confidence in their voice. Expressing opinions by answering directed questions or articulating a favorite ice cream flavor encourages a child to verbally express himself among peers and adults.
According to a study by Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, children who attended preschool scored at a higher reading level than children who did not attend preschool. Even if they couldn't read, exposure to reading, books and listening to stories resulted in higher levels of letter and number recognition. When introduced to numbers and letters during kindergarten, children who attended preschool already had conceptual and visual familiarity, making it easier for them to make sense of written words. This advantage in reading comprehension and ability continued through age 15.
Children who participate in a quality preschool program develop problem solving skills through academic and social opportunities that don't necessarily exist at home. For example, manipulating objects, like blocks, through building and stacking challenges a child's imagination. During preschool children also use problem solving skills to overcome obstacles during group play; for example, if two blocks keep falling over because another child's project bumps against his, the child has to re-evalute the situation and position his own blocks differently.