When your child turns one year old, it’s natural for you, as parents, to start worrying about their path, especially concerning education. That’s why it is essential to know more about the correct preschooler age for playgroups and kindergarten to ensure that your kids start preschool at the right time. The preschool years are a critical time for a child’s development and can set the stage for a lifetime of learning. During this period, children learn essential skills to help them in their future educational pursuits.
Before proceeding, note that there is no one-size-fits-all answer to determining an ideal kid’s preschool age. Each child is unique and develops at their own pace. We urge you to read this blog as a reference point and NOT as a final solution.
The preschool age group, also known as playgroup or Nursery, typically starts from 2 years old. This is the age when most Indian kids start preschool. While this is an average number, most schools also have their criteria. EuroKids, which is one of India’s leading chains of preschools, follows the below age for preschool group cut-out –
Playgroup: 1.8 to 3 years
Nursery: 2.5 to 4 years
Junior Kg: 3.5 to 5 years
Senior Kg: 4.5 to 6 years
With these groups, as parents you can enrol your kids as per their preschooler age into EuroKids. So what should a parent keep in mind while discussing preschool child age? Is it just the age? Not!
Did you know that the best age to start preschool depends on external and internal factors?
8 Factors that Determine Preschool Readiness of Your Child
Here are Some Things to Ponder Before Enrolling Your Child
- Ability to Communicate
- Independence
- Social Interaction
- Interest in Learning
- Health
- Overall Readiness
The top aspect you should consider before your kids start preschool. Very few preschool-age group kids can talk clearly, which is fine. However, they must be able to communicate their most basic needs and transparently express themselves. This includes being able to understand and respond to simple instructions and questions. For this to happen, you should constantly talk with your child, even before she is close to preschool age. Ask open-ended questions. Let them try and give answers. I need to finish their solutions for them. Give them scenarios where they are encouraged to talk, like letting them construct something and then telling them to explain how they did it.
Did you know that developmental achievements also influence the preschooler age of kids?
Again, preschool-age kids need to be more independent to do most things. But they should be trained about certain necessary things like using the bathroom, washing their hands, and feeding themselves. While all this is also taught to kids when they join preschool, it’s best for them if they are at least one level ready when they join preschool. Therefore, the level of independence significantly influences the preschool child age.
“Remember that all kids develop at their own pace and there’s no rush to start preschool. Also, note that different preschools have unique philosophies and readiness requirements. So, be sure to check the specific guidelines of the schools you are considering, as your child may not be ready for one preschool, but might do just fine in another.”
– Amanda Rock, writer at verywellFamily
With the pandemic gone, kids of preschool age are getting the opportunity to meet other kids and socialise. We understand that kids in the preschool age group need help to understand the concept of social interaction. However, you as parents can teach this by talking to neighbours, wishing the members of your society building, and greeting the guard. Your child will see and learn. Preschool-age kids should be able to engage in simple social interactions like saying ‘hello’ or ‘good morning’ with their peers and adults. They should be able to take turns and share their belongings. Therefore, social interaction greatly influences preschool child age.
Did you know that interest in learning influences the best age to start preschool for kids?
Kids in preschool age should naturally be curious and interested in the world around them. They should be eager to learn new things and explore their environment. If your child is at the right age for a playgroup, they should give you that vibe themselves. How? By asking questions. If your child asks many questions, it means she is ready to pack her bags for school!
The Ideal preschool age for your child will also largely depend on your child’s health. It is also essential to consider the child’s overall health and development. Children with delayed language, cognitive, or motor skills might benefit from starting preschool later. In contrast, children who are ahead of their peers in these areas might benefit from starting earlier. This is how the age for playgroups might differ for every child. Read more to know about the best healthy nutrition tips for kids. Therefore, health is an important factor that influences the best age to start preschool for kids.
Even if all the above points are a tick, there is a considerable aspect you should consider while discussing the ideal kid’s preschool age. We are talking about their mental readiness factor. Are they mentally ready? As a parent, you might say, how will you know that unless your child starts going? True. But remember, every parent understands their child best. So it’s OK if your child is four and a half and you want to put her in Nursery still or want to skip a year. It’s OK, and it’s not a race. Therefore, age for preschool is dependent on the readiness of the child.
Conclusion
In conclusion, deciding the right preschool age for your child is a very critical decision that needs to be taken by both partners. Age is just one criterion. It is also essential to research the different factors, like mental and physical readiness, independence level, speech level, etc., while seeking admissions. Also, do detailed research on all the preschool options available and consider factors such as the curriculum, teaching methods, and the overall learning environment. It is also essential to visit the preschool and observe a class in session to get a sense of the school’s approach to teaching and learning.
Finally, the decision of when to start preschool for your child is a personal one that should be made in consultation with your child’s doctor and your observations about your child’s development.
When do you think your little one is ready to join preschool?
For informative and accurate articles on all things related to your new born-toddler’s development, growth, health and nutrition, follow EuroKids Blogs and do check out our nationally recognized preschools – EuroKids for the first step in your kid’s educational journey!
