Blog by Michelle Hattingh
When you think about any day that your child is at preschool, you might picture them in participating in activities like story time, an art activity, singing songs, and learning their letters and numbers. There is no question that these activities are important, but there is so much more happening during the day that you may not be aware of.
Every day, your preschooler is learning how to become more independent, how to navigate friendships and big feelings, and how to solve problems independently. These life skills might not be evident on paper, but they are helping to build the foundation for your child’s future.
Here are five things your preschooler is learning at school and why these are so important for their future:
1. They’re learning how to navigate and manage big feelings
Every parent of a preschooler has witnessed their child having some big emotions – which adults often refer to as melt downs or tantrums. These can be triggered by something as small as their block tower falling over, or they were asked to wait for a turn to do something. Preschool provides countless opportunities for children to identify and practice navigating these feelings in a safe and supportive environment.
A friend may take their toy, an activity doesn’t go as planned, or it’s time to clean up and transition to another activity and they really don’t want to – teachers help the children to begin learning how to identify their emotions, to express themselves with words, and to work through frustration. These skills take time to develop; preschoolers aren’t expected to manage every emotion independently. Instead, they are gradually learning what their feelings mean, that it’s ok to have feelings, and how to respond to them.
How can parents support this learning at home: When you notice that your child is having some big feelings; firstly, do not get upset with them. Try asking, “What was something that made you feel happy or sad today?” Talking about feelings at home reinforces what children are practicing at school and reminds them that all emotions are okay and that they are allowed to have them.
2. They’re learning about friendships and what it means to be a good friend
Preschool is where children begin practicing the skills that help them build relationships with other children, and this is where friendships begin to form. During playtime, your child learns to take turns, share toys, listen to other children’s opinions and ideas, and how to work through disagreements. A very important lesson is discovering that their words and actions can affect how other people feel.
Having said this, it’s important to remember that friendship don’t always come easily. A child might struggle to share, may disagree with a classmate about a game, or need help understanding another child’s perspective. These moments are valuable learning opportunities and teachers will offer guidance during these moments, as children gradually develop empathy, cooperation, and respect for others.
How can parents help at home: Practice sharing and taking turns at home. Ask, “What is one kind thing that we can do today?” You can also point out examples of kindness in everyday life, helping your child recognize how small actions can make someone feel included and cared for.
3. They’re learning to be independent
“I can do it myself” – this is a statement that parents and teachers have heard many times.
Understandably, encouraging independence can sometimes require a little extra patience from parents and teachers, but it’s an important part of your child’s development.
At school, children practice everyday tasks such as cleaning up after snack/lunch times, washing their hands, choosing activities, cleaning up toys, and following familiar routines.
These little responsibilities help children develop confidence and learn to take ownership of their actions. It is important to remember that sometimes tasks, like putting on shoes, may take longer than expected, and sometimes, a task needs a few attempts before it becomes familiar and routine. That’s perfectly normal, and our job as an adult is to remain calm and patient, and to keep encouraging them to persevere. The goal isn’t perfection; it’s progress.
How can parents help at home: Give your child plenty of opportunities to take ownership of small tasks at home. Invite them to help with simple chores and offer lots of encouragement when they try something new. And remember – a little extra patience can go a long way towards building independence.
4. They’re learning that mistakes are ok and help us grow
Preschoolers are faced with ‘mistakes’ throughout the day – maybe a puzzle piece doesn’t fit, or they used the wrong blocks in their towers. Perhaps their drawing doesn’t turn out the way your they imagined, or they can’t get their jacket on properly. For preschoolers, these everyday experiences are wonderful opportunities for them to learn an important lesson: things don’t always work the first time, and that’s okay because we can try again.
By making mistakes, and receiving encouragement from teachers, children learn that making a mistake doesn’t mean they have failed – it simply gives them another opportunity to try again. Teachers encourage this process by asking them questions, offering support when needed, and most importantly, celebrating children’s efforts rather than focusing only on the finished result.
How can parents help at home: When your child faces a challenge or is struggling with a task, try to resist the urge to step in too quickly. Instead, offer them encouragement and ask, “What else could we try?” It is important to celebrate the effort it takes to keep going, even when the outcome isn’t perfect.
5. They’re learning to communicate and express their ideas
Preschool is filled with opportunities for children to listen, talk, ask questions, tell stories, and share their ideas. During morning circle time, group activities, pretend play, and everyday conversations with peers and teachers, children continuously develop their vocabulary, practice listening to others, and discover new ways to communicate with those around them.
A great example of this is when a group of children are playing restaurant in the dramatic play area. They might decide as a group who will be the chef, take turns being customers, create menus, and discuss what happens next. While they’re having fun, they’re also practicing language, cooperation, decision-making, and creative thinking.
How can parents support this at home: Talk to your child; make time for conversations throughout the day. Ask a lot of open-ended questions such as, “What was the most interesting thing you did today?” or “What do you think would happen if we tried to do this task in a different way?”
The small things add up
Preschool is about so much more than learning the about letters, counting to ten, or recognizing shapes and colors. It’s also about helping children build the life skills they’ll carry with them into adulthood. So, remember, the next time you ask your preschooler what they learned at school and hear, “I just played,” remember that play may be where some of their most important learning took place.
