Preschool: School and Academics Articles

Preschool Learning: More than ABCs and 123s
New research shows that teaching preschoolers both academic and social-emotional skills leads to greater school readiness overall. How can teachers do double duty at school, and what can you do to support social-emotional development at home?

Choosing a Preschool to Match Your Child's Temperament
As a child's first teacher, parents are in a unique position to understand their child's mood and energy. Many in the field of early education say it's important for parents to take this into consideration when choosing the right preschool for their child.

Academic Preschools: Too Much Too Soon?
Once upon a time, many children didn't attend preschool at all, and those who did spent their mornings cutting, pasting, and playing house. These days, preschool is a rite of passage, and "academic" preschools that promise to prepare kids for the cutthroat world of kindergarten are becoming more ...
Child Development Tracker: Literacy From Age 3 to 4
Find out what literacy milestones children aged 3 and 4 achieve, like recognizing print, forming mock words, and dictating words for writing.

The Essential Guide to Preschool Math
Here's our essential guide to all things preschool math, plus expert book picks to make learning fun!

Curious Kids! Scientific Learning in Preschool
Preschoolers are already actively engaged in scientific learning, both inside the classroom and out. Try a few of these fun and simple ways to engage your child in science learning.
Child Development Tracker: Mathematics From Age 3 to 4
Three-year-olds improve their logical reasoning skills as they play. They can put together simple puzzles, and understand that a whole object can be separated into parts. They identify and describe objects that are the "same" or "different". Three-year-olds can count up to ...

Preschool Math: Exploring Patterns
In preschool, identifying and creating patterns is just the beginning of the mastery of life-long mathematical skills. Here's how to introduce your preschooler to patterning.
Child Development Tracker: Mathematics From Age 4 to 5
Believe it or not, by the age of 4 or five, kids are ready to start tackling more complex math concepts. Find out what they typically know about numbers, geometry, measurement, patterns and statistics.

Preschool Practice: Shapes and Colors!
Recognizing objects as red or blue, round or square might seem like child's play, but it's integral to a child's cognitive development, and sets the stage for math concepts from sorting and patterning to geometry. Try these fun activities to help your child master colors and shapes.
- Reading, Writing, and Crossing the Midline
- Holiday Helper: Embellished Tote Bag
- Help Your Child Understand One-to-One Correspondence
- Talking in Class
- Healthy Store-Bought Lunch Box Snacks
- Stop! It's a hexagon!
- Make a Dreamcatcher
- Foster Self-Regulation Skills with Games
- Yarn Doll Family Fun
- Delightful Dough Basket