Why do I have to go to kindergarten?
This is a common complaint from children when you wake them up in the morning for school.
Sometimes, even parents themselves might wonder what is the point of attending kindergarten – other than as an academic stepping stone towards primary school.
However, children learn many essential life skills in kindergartens in Singapore that will help them better cope with their journey in primary school and beyond.
Kindergartens in Singapore help them pick up social skills
Children will have many opportunities to interact with their classmates and teachers, helping the shy ones out of their shells. They would learn how to make and keep friends, as well as how to resolve arguments between themselves.
These social skills cannot be learned at home and are valuable to a child’s growth.
As with preschools in Singapore, kindergartens encourage more discussion among the children. Interactions with others can also help children manage their emotions better as they learn not to show their anger or frustration when problems arise.
Children learn how to take care of themselves
Most kindergartens in Singapore teach valuable life skills like cooking and cleaning.
As they are now older, children would be given more difficult tasks than when they were in preschool.
These skills are not only useful in teaching children to take care of themselves as they grow up, they also instil a sense of responsibility in them from a young age.
Read also: What To Do When Your Child is Being Bullied at Kindergarten in Singapore
Kindergartens in Singapore teach kids to be independent
At home, decisions are usually made by parents, and children might not have the opportunity to have a say. However, when they are in kindergarten, children are expected to make some simple choices.
Apart from honing their decision-making skills, this helps to ensure that they are not always reliant on others.
This builds their self-identity as they start to realise what they like or dislike. They will also learn to do things for themselves, like tying their shoes or wearing their clothes which helps them be more independent.
Children hone their language and cognitive skills
Through speaking with their classmates and teachers, children build their vocabulary and grasp grammar better.
Studies show that between the ages of four to six, a child’s vocabulary grows from 1500 to 2600 words – and part of this is due to kindergarten and preschool.
Teachers help to facilitate discussion by encouraging questions and helping children discuss among themselves.
Their cognitive skills are sharpened as they are required to memorise certain facts to participate in class discussion or complete their homework.
They would also need to focus in class and process instructions.
Read also: Best After-school Activities in Yishun for Your Kindergarten Child
In general, kindergarten helps children in many ways beyond the textbook. Through hanging out with their peers and adults, they have a better understanding of how the world works and the proper decorum of behaviour.
This helps them to be better prepared for the more intense learning in primary school and the challenges that they may face in the future.