Living History Worldwide

The importance of early childhood education cannot be stressed enough. Studies have shown how it assists children with developing the physical, social, and cognitive skills that are vital for personal growth and academic success. It’s important to note that 75% of preschool-aged children are currently participating in preprimary programs. This points to the fact that more and more children are being enrolled in these beneficial programs.

What Is a Preprimary Program?

A preprimary program basically consists of an organized group or class of children. While some of these programs may be included in a school with other types of programs and older children, others are self-contained. In addition to half, or partial-day programs, other programs extend for the entire day. In 2015, for example, roughly 51% of the children between three-to-five years of age were attending full-day programs.

Preprimary programs, as their name indicates, are designed to provide educational experiences for children within the following age groups:

• Kindergarten
• Preschool
• Nursery school

The Growth of Preprimary Programs

In 1990, 33% of American three-year-olds and 56% of American four-year-olds were enrolled in preprimary programs. By 2013, 42% of the country’s three-year-olds and 68% of its four-year-olds were enrolled. It’s interesting to note that the enrollment data for 2000 to 2012 was relatively similar to that for 2013.

There was, however, a slight decline in the number of five-year-olds that were enrolled in preprimary programs. In 1990, for example, 89% of the the country’s five-year-olds were enrolled in some type of early education program. By 2012, this number was reduced to 85% and 84% the following year in 2013.

Since there is a greater demand for early childhood education, there is also an increased demand for preschool teachers. By 2026, this demand is expected to increase by ten percent. This includes opportunities for teachers that want to work in nursery school, preschool, and kindergarten programs.

The Benefits of Preprimary Programs

Between 1993 and 2012, the percentage of three- to six-year-old children able to demonstrate early literacy and cognitive skills improved: the percentage of children able to recognize all the letters in the alphabet increased from 21% to 38%; the percentage of those able to count to 20 or higher rose from 52% to 68%; and those able to write their own names increased from 50% to 58%.

The Benefits of Attending Summer Camp Programs

Are you looking for things for kids to do in summer before school starts? There are different types of summer camp programs available. According to the 2017 American Camp Association Sites, Facilities, and Programs Report, there are over 14,000 day and resident camps within this country:

• Resident camps: 8,400
• Day camps: 5,600

Since summer camps offer things for kids to do in summer, they provide an excellent bridge to the fall semester. Children will have the opportunity to engage in a variety of physical, social, and other enriching activities. Things for kids to do in summer range from playing games and taking hikes to participating in arts and crafts. Children may also learn to sing camp songs and participate in story time. Attending camps can also assist children with feeling good about themselves. The American Camp Association reported that 92% of the participating campers said that this was true for them.

Learn More About Available Programs

Whether you’re searching for things for kids to do in summer or a preschool for the fall, you realize the importance of early childhood education to prepare your children for elementary school and beyond. Once you tour a preschool or summer camp, you’ll be able to learn more about its philosophy and curriculum. You’ll also be able to learn more detail about the fun and enriching activities to which your children will be exposed. As previously stated, 75% of preschool-aged children are now enrolled in some type of preprimary program. This definitely bodes well for early childhood education programs and the children they will continue to serve.