Why does prekindergarten matter?

Attending high quality prekindergarten makes a big difference for small children. Children who go to high-quality 3- and 4-year-old prekindergarten enter school ready to learn and be successful, confident learners.

What does high-quality mean?

High-quality prekindergarten provides a learning environment that inspires curiosity, builds confidence, and fosters a love of learning. In high-quality prekindergarten, children learn essential skills for being successful in school like:

• Paying attention
• Following 2-3 step directions
• Learning lots of new vocabulary words for objects and ideas that help them to comprehend what they read and hear
• Learning the ABCs and the sounds associated with each letter
• Learning how to read and write short words including their name
• Learning numbers from 1-20 and counting
• Sequencing, sorting and problem solving skills that will help them with reading and math
• Following daily routines
• Taking turns, sharing and appropriately communicating with others
• Building strength and coordination of muscles for academic and nonacademic activities
• Exploring
• Asking questions
• Seeking answers
• Building confidence as learners and a positive relationship with school

Find more information and resources visit the TEA Website.