The Benefits of Preschool For Young Children

The benefits of preschool
for young children

UNICEF Philippines
Jun 27, 2018·3 min read

Children at a daycare center at Domoluk, Alabel, Sarangani Province in the Philippines.
©UNICEF Philippines/2011/Kat Palasi
The brain develops at its most rapid pace in the first few
years of life. Young children’s brains develop rapidly, with
neurons forming at 700 to 1,000 new connections per second.
These connections help develop a child’s physical and mental
health.
Early stimulation and interaction with parents and

caregivers jumpstart the journey of brain
development — and lifetime learning.
In practice, stimulation is about parents and other caregivers

being responsive to the emotional and physical needs of their
children from birth onward, playing and talking with them, and
exposing them to words, numbers, and simple concepts while
engaging in daily routines.
The quality of child development at the time of school entry

predicts performance in school. The High/Scope Perry Preschool
Study in the U.S. found that disadvantaged children who
participated in preschool education were more likely to complete
school, find higher-paying jobs and own their homes, and are less
likely to be involved in crime by the time they were 40, than
children who did not get the extra support.
Children at a day care centere in Barangay Taytay, Guiuan, Eastern Samar. ©UNICEF
Philippines
The ongoing ECCD Longitudinal Study in the Philippines, which

tracks a cohort of Kindergarten pupils up to Grade 2, revealed that
Kindergarten pupils who had preschool experience have higher
socioemotional skills than those who did not have such
experience.
Socioemotional skills are a child’s ability to understand the

feelings of others, control his or her own feelings and behaviors,
get along well with other children, and build relationships with
adults Moreover, those who have higher socioemotional skills have
higher early literacy and numeracy skills.
In the Philippines, while preschool for 3 to 4 years old is not

mandatory, this group of children should be attending preschool
so as not to miss critical periods of development in the early years.
This is followed by mandatory kindergarten at 5 years old before
they enter Grade 1 the following school year. Preschool can come
in various forms such as day care centres, supervised
neighborhood play programs, and home-based early education.
Teacher Muntiya Amor’s pupils learn about shapes and colors at Madrasah Nor-Faidah Al-
Islamiah, a Tahderiyyah in Mable, Malabang, Lanao del Sur. The Tahderiyyah curriculum is
based on the principles of early childhood and development, which enhances learning
competencies of young children. ©UNICEF Philippines/2015/Jeoffrey Maitem
Here are five reasons why children must

attend preschool:
1. Stimulates brain development — Learning and play
activities in preschool stimulates young children’s brains and
contributes to their intellectual, social, and emotional
development.
2. Improves social skills — Preschool provides a venue for

young children to learn how to interact and work with other
children, as well as adults. Learning group dynamics at an early
age helps improve children’s social skills.
3. Sets the foundation for lifelong learning — Learning and

play activities in preschool encourages children’s natural curiosity
to explore, develops their creativity and provides a positive
learning experience for them. As a result, children are more eager
to learn.
4. Prepares children for kindergarten and elementary

school — Because children who attend preschool are more eager
to learn and are able to handle social interactions and group
dynamics, they are less likely to drop out of elementary school.
5. Helps break the cycle of poverty for disadvantaged

children — Children who attend preschool are more likely to
continue and finish elementary school, learn better, and can earn
more as adults. Taking advantage of a crucial phase of the
development of the child’s brain can improve the lives of the most
disadvantaged and vulnerable children.
Sources: Building Better Brains: New Frontiers in Early
Childhood Development, Facts for Life

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The benefits of preschool

for young children

Jun 27, 2018·3 min read

Early stimulation and interaction with parents and

In practice, stimulation is about parents and other caregivers

The quality of child development at the time of school entry

The ongoing ECCD Longitudinal Study in the Philippines, which

Socioemotional skills are a child’s ability to understand the

In the Philippines, while preschool for 3 to 4 years old is not

Here are five reasons why children must

2. Improves social skills — Preschool provides a venue for

3. Sets the foundation for lifelong learning — Learning and

4. Prepares children for kindergarten and elementary

5. Helps break the cycle of poverty for disadvantaged

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