What actually are kids supposed to be doing or learning in preschool sessions?

Question

When I ask my lad what he does at nursery (3-5 age range) he says (mostly) drawing, eating toast, drinking milk and playing on the things in the playground. I do take what he says with a pinch of salt though!

Answer 1

http://www.qca.org.uk/qca_5984.aspx is all about the Foundation Stage which is the curriculum your child will be following if he's in England. You could ask the staff if they will keep a diary for you!

Most children have access to things like a messy area with paints, water and sand, table toys like lego, mr potato head, role play areas like hospitals, home corner etc. Outdoor play, Group times with story or singing etc.

Answer 2

I'd guess the most important thing about pre-school is being with lots of other kids.

Answer 3

Your little boy is learning through play he is also learning how to interact with other children and the adults at nursery.

He needs his fine motor skills ie. colouring ect before he can learn to write .He will also be doing lots of cutting out and sticking.

All in all he will be learning all the skills he will need when he transfers to reception.He sounds like he is doing just fine.

Answer 4

children learn thew play so they are learning communication skills, vocabulary, team work, socialization, and structure. So that when they get to kinder garden they will have the skill necessary

Answer 5

They learn through play...some schools offer 3 year olds the very begining of writing classes...others just play...but the main thing he is learning is how to socialise and to get used to a structured day...ready for school.

Answer 6

Yep!  That's basically what they do.  That's why I save my money and preschool at home.

Answer 7

hello,

well if this helps you any i have an associates it teaching early childhood which is 1 to 9 years of age....the age group you are talking about with your child is they learn through play and at their own pace....because if you force any thing on them at that age they seem to get a little stubron and fight against what your trying to teach....but he will show improvement around 5 and he/she should know all colors numbers up to 100 or farther depending on the child all the alphabet and how to spell his or her name the sounds every letter makes and some 3 letter words....and his/her drawing should get better also and the child should beable to tell you what the picture is by 4....but its social skills and to let the children know that mommy and daddy have to let them go to school......hope i have helped some

Answer 8

We start with colors, go to shapes, numbers and are now on the letters of the alphabet.  We learn how to write and identify our names, identify our numbers, know the meaning of numbers - we also have special themes for the holidays including fire safety, butterflies, transportation.  All our "work" is done in a fun way and it absorbs right into them like sponges.  your son is just remembering the parts he liked the best - eating and playing!  that's normal!

Answer 9

Social, emotional, cultural, physical, and educational skills all cleverly disguised in what we see as utter chaos. God bless the nursery teachers.

Answer 10

Why not offer to help out for a session at the pre-school and find out for yourself? They are usually keen for helpers

Answer 11

I picked up my god-daughter at pre-school once. There was food on the floor and the room was a mess in general. The part that puzzled me was that there were FOUR "teachers" present. Oh, and no one had shoes on...I guess they practice less is more there??

Thanks Wendy P!! that does enlighten me, I had no clue!

Answer 12

Children should be learning math, science, language, music, art appreciation and much more.  However, often these activities are disguised as play.  So look carefully at what you see and ask yourself these questions.  

Are the art activities child centered?  

Is there a science corner in the room?  

Do you see evidence of math activities in the room?  These can be disguised as graphs such as how many children have blues eyes, green eyes, brown eys, etc.

Is the alphabet integrated into the room?  You may see a display of the alphabet, letter puzzles, letter blocks, etc.

Does your child bring home new songs they have learned?  On the play area do you see the teachers interacting with the children or talking amongst themselves?  

There are so many ways to differentiate "if" your child is learning.  

Please remember the adage "A child's work "IS" play.

Answer 13

they learn interacting and socializing skills

Answer 14

One of the most important things children learn at preschool is to become independent. Part of this is that preschool is 'their place'. It belongs to the child. So, in the politest way possible, your son is telling you that it's not really any of your business. You can know some of it, but only what he chooses to tell you.

Good Ealy Years practice today is all about learning through play. In the best preschools children are free to explore, experiment and discover independently, with adults there to observe and extend them so that they begin to think for themselves. It's also about making friends and becoming a social being.  

If you really want to know what he does, ask the leaders if you can help out sometimes. They will probably appreciate the help. But don't expect him to behave in the same way as he always does at preschool when you're there. Children behave very differently when they're away from their parents (usually much better).

Don't nag him - he'll tell you what he wants to.

Answer 15

You'd be surprised at just what us preschool leaders have to plan for a 3 year old! We have to make sure all 6 aspects of the Early Learning Goals are covered and have to make observations and keep files on each child to make sure they are developing! Its really hard work at times! I suggest you have a chat with the staff at his nursery, as they will be able to explain it better to you and let you know just how he is doing. At our setting we do reports twice a year and even hold a parents evening to discuss such things. Hope this helps.

Answer 16

Children of your sons age learn best through play and physical experiences. One has to experience life before you can write about it, add it up or disect it. Nursery and all pre school edcation worth its salt will cover the main six areas of learning (do you know what these are?) without your child or probably you even knowing about it. If you request further info, I would be glad to enhance your knowledge in pre school education in greater detail.

Answer 17

ok relax - he is young - he has plenty of time to be learning how to read and do math! i was a pre school teacher for five years, and yes, much of what they do is play and learn how to socialize (one of the most important and lacking things in our society today)!

but his idea of playing is completely different then the teachers! when he is building he is using his motor skills and balance blocks on each other - when he is coloring he is using his fine motor skills that will eventually help with his ability to learn how to write, when he is eating snack he is learning what's appropriate at a table and how to clean up after himself.

they have all the time in the world to become adults - what they are doing right now is appropriate and will help in the long run

Answer 18

Sounds about right. The real benefits and signs of a good preschool are learning to get along with others, functioning in a group, enriching vocabulary through new experiences ,developing the skills needed to learn to read and learning that school is a good place to be. The academic stuff is just gravy.

Answer 19

depending on actual age they are learning through play and interaction: gross motor skills ie ball throwing putting pieces in correct holes,shapes, pencil grip, hand washing, manners, what is acceptable behavior what is not, healthy eating habits, exercise, colors, numbers, own name recognition, how to interact with others politely, safely and friendly. how to listen to instruction . They are developing their own personalities and learning how to express them also how to separate from parents without trauma and learning how to trust people who have the care of them throughout their school life as well as respect for themselves and others.

Also this is very often the time when any developmental problems are picked up and the children can be referred to the correct proffesionals for help which makes it easier for both the child and the parents in the transition to "BIG SCHOOL"

Answer 20

yeah pretty much that, but they learn social skills and they also learn letters and numbers, and the other basics they need for school

Answer 21

I am a Preschool teacher and my children are 4. They are learning to be social, learn about the world through various forms of role play, perfect fine motor skills for writing by using many of our toys, play outside for gross motor movement, hear stories to enhance pre-reading skills, and serve their own snack for independence and pre-math skills.

They are learning routine, independence, and pride for their work. Academics will come later. A real focus on the alphabet comes on the Pre-K level which is for late four and five year olds.

Preschool is about exploration.

Answer 22

i think firstly it is meant to get them used to schooling and teach them basic skills

Answer 23

Social skills, sharing, making friends. learning shapes and colors, numbers, coloring, cutting and gluing. They learn about the day of the week, months of the year.

Answer 24

yep..that's wat he's supposed ter do...thats wut my students do in my kinder school