Academic preparedness vs. play based model in preschool

The list at this link is quite accurate, in my experience, https://www.understood.org/en/articles/skills-kids-need-going-into-kind…. You will see that the academic skills are basic, things that your child can catch on to naturally by being read to and directed conversation. I really think that gross and fine motor skills and self care (tying shoes, opening lunch containers, going to the bathroom alone, holding a pencil, using scissors) are more important to know in advance than academic skills. Riding a pedal bike without training wheels, some swimming confidence, and writing their first and last name are good to get before kindergarten too because the learning process and motor functions carry over to academics.

Hi - my daughter did play-based from ages 2 to 5.5 - like, very play-based, not even circle time, all student-led learning aka climbing trees and playing in dirt and very little academics in any form. She was naturally bright so that was part of why I wasn't concerned about her doing fine in kindergarten, but also because there seems to be a lot of research supporting play in early years and not a quick rush to academics. I also just felt like she had so many years ahead of ahead of her where academics would dominate and she just had so much fun! We of course supplemented at home so she knew her letters and letters sounds, some very basic math. She just completed her K year and she did amazing - she can mostly read, excels in math, and transitioned really well. As far as I'm concerned, K is the new pre-K and good teachers are prepared for kiddos of all levels in that year and do a good job of getting them on same page and ready for 1st grade where there things get a bit more focused. 

My son is 4.5 and will be doing another year of play-based preschool (this one has slightly more structure, like circle times, and a bit more teacher-led activity because he definitely needs that more than my daughter) and I have no concerns about how he will do in kindergarten next year. 

IMHO kids that young aren’t at the stage when they benefit from academic focus (things like reading and math) and lectures. I wouldn’t worry about it. Instead modeling life skills now at home will build confidence and help free up time later for academics.

My two cents: Kindergarten readiness has less to do with academic skills and a lot to do with practical and social skills, both of which are gathered through play. Busy toddler (a former kindergarten teacher) has a great article on this. Janet Lansbury’s perspective is that play is all a child needs from 0-5 years old because that is how children (and I would argue everyone) learn. Perhaps what you are looking for is more of the structure that children will experience in kindergarten?

All three of my kids went to play-based preschools and did fine in kindergarten - preschool is about learning to follow instructions and share and be in a group and sit still at quiet times and be away from home, which are all valuable pre-kindergarten skills. If he can do those things, he'll be able to learn whatever his kindergarten teacher is teaching him. While it's true that kindergarten is more academic than it was when we were kids, plenty of kids come in not knowing much academically and it all evens out by the end of the year. If he can recognize all his letters and write his name, he should be pretty well set and his teacher will build from there. I found that even our play-based preschools worked with the pre-k kids on letters and numbers, so yours may, too.

Hello,

Play-based education is wonderful! Playing is how children learn. Look up "Finland early childhood education" and see the wonderful results on learning by play. Read to your child, play counting and other math games and memory games with your child at home and let your child explore and make their own observations of the world around them and they will do fine! At all stages but especially in the young,  make learning fun through play and a lifelong joy of learning will move them forward. 

Are you sure your son doesn't qualify for PreK? My understanding was that it's changing for the 2022-23 school year and all kids turning 5 by April 2023 are eligible for PreK this year. 

I’m all for play based as long as you can. He is learning so much about attention, sharing, cooperation, and a true love of learning. Life is too short and kids are pushed too far, too fast. If you like your preschool otherwise there are always things you can do at home such as working on letter sounds, simple number and “math” games with dice, and writing capitol letters (there’s some great apps out there like Writing Wizard) but you could also follow along with the Learning Without Tears order and method which a lot of K classrooms utilize. Attending to books and listening, creativity, playing though are all such important foundational pieces and kids are pushed too soon in my opinion. 

I don't think that there is any preschool with a real emphasis on academics. We've searched the East Bay extensively and weren't able to find any. The best option would be one of the good montessori schools, like MFS, which tend to be child-driven and teachers are willing to meat kids where they are. For most kids, a play-based model is a really good option, for the reasons mentioned in the other responses. However, there are some kids for whom the play-based model is not a good fit, because they don't find it challenging or interesting enough. I'm writing because I wanted to emphasize this point, in case you felt somewhat taken aback by the other responses. 

Our daughter is 3 and in a mixed program that emphasizes play and academics. We love it and it’s perfect for her. Cato’s Tiny Tots is fantastic and near San Pablo Park in Berkeley. They have park days and walk with the kids to the library for story time. They emphasize the kids playing together, learning the names of other children and how to be responsible and remain in their designated play area at the park. Our daughter has not only learned how to share and established her beginning phonics (she started in sight words last week) but has also gotten better at wiping herself on the potty and eating well with a fork. They are a really impressive team and we are so grateful to have her there. They just hatched butterflies and our daughter lives to talk about their life cycle. Our 1 year old is also there and they are already focusing on color recognition with him in a play setting. They spend time with each child to understand what their current capacity is and tailor their group learning to be inclusive.  Unlike some other places, they aren’t afraid to correct a child kindly and have them do time- out. They give great behavioral and learning updates each day and always coordinate with parents to be sure we are in alignment emphasizing the same behavioral corrections when needed. They even find ways to reward the children for good behavior at home. Our daughter can explain clearly each time she has a time-out and tells us what she needs to do differently when she gets home. I can’t recommend them enough.

Here’s their site:

https://www.catostinytots.com 

This may not be answering your question but I wouldn’t worry about the academic part.  Whichever preschool program prepares your child socially is most important.  Once a child goes to public school- ratio of adults to kids greatly diminishes.  It’s important for kid to learn how to play and cooperate together early.  For the academic part- public school kindergarten was frankly scary how they pushed the kids with “writers workshops” and iPads.  My daughter is almost 14 now and we told the teacher she would not be doing the homework on an iPad.  Well… my kid still doesn’t have and iPad or smartphone- she reads 12 books a week no joke.  
 

Kids need to play outside till at least 6th grade and beyond.  I think the over focus on academics too early leads to childhood obesity- they will never get these years back again to develop physically.  My kid avoids writing to this day because they pushed it too early. Good luck!