What’s the right age to start preschool education?

January 13, 2023

It’s a question every parent of a young child wrestles with at some point: what is the right age to start preschool education in Singapore?

For some children, attending preschool is a great way to learn how to socialise and prepare for the rigours of kindergarten and beyond. For others, starting preschool too early can be overwhelming and stressful.

So, how do you know if your child is ready for preschool education? Here are three factors to consider.

1. Your child’s age

One of the most important things to consider when determining if your little one is ready for preschool is his age. Most preschool education programmes are geared towards children who are three or four years old. Children at this age range are typically more developmentally ready for school, being old enough to follow simple instructions and take turns.

If your child is younger than that, he may not be ready for the structure and expectations of a formal preschool education. Of course, every child is different, so it’s important to use your best judgement. If you feel like your two-year-old would benefit from attending preschool, then there’s no harm in giving it a try.

2. Your child’s personality and readiness for school

Another thing to consider is your child’s personality and readiness for preschool learning. Is he outgoing and adventurous, or shy and reserved? Does he play well with others? Is he comfortable being away from you for extended periods of time?

If your little one is on the shyer side and doesn’t have much experience being around other children his age, starting preschool may not be the best idea—at least not right away. Instead, it’s important to introduce him to the idea gradually and give him time to adjust to being away from you and around other children his age before signing him up for a formal preschool education programme. Parents can do so by taking their children to more playdates and activities or even signing them up for short reading classes for preschoolers so they can mingle around other children.

3. Your child’s communication skills

Other than considering your child’s personality and readiness, it’s also important to take your child’s communication skills into account when deciding whether he is ready for school.

Preschoolers should be able to communicate their basic needs, such as going to the bathroom or being hungry. While your child doesn’t need to be able to have full-blown conversations, he should at least be able to let his teachers know what they need to feel comfortable and secure throughout the day.

Get The Best Out Of Learning With MindChamps PreSchool

Every parent wants what’s best for their little one, and finding the right time to enrol your child into preschool is an important part of ensuring that he gets off to a strong start in life.

This is why another key factor to consider is also the type of preschool programme you will enrol your child in. At MindChamps PreSchool, we cultivate our students’ Champion Minds, Learning Minds, and Creative Minds using the 3-Mind Approach, so they can reach their full potential.

Using the S.M.I.L.E.S.™ methodology, the children’s Sensory, Motor, Intellectual, Linguistic, Emotional and Social skills are also honed through play-based activities when they’re learning English, Maths, or Science. Our Enquiry Teaching and Learning™ also encourages children to go beyond their curiosity and raise questions that allow them to dive deeper and explore a topic further.

Book a visit to our preschool centre today to learn more about our preschool activities and programmes today!