Practice makes perfect and preparation sets the stage for success.
Albuquerque Public Schools recently set out to prepare some of the community’s youngest citizens to do their best. The district partnered with local and statewide agencies to show families what’s available for preschoolers and help them decide which options best meet their child’s needs.
Allison Fitzpatrick Gabaldon, the senior director of early childhood programs for APS, said more than 25 public, private, and community providers were on hand Feb. 8 to visit with families at the first Albuquerque Early Childhood School Choice Fair.
“The importance of early childhood education for preschoolers is immeasurable,” Gabaldon said. “A high quality preschool experience sets up our youngest learners for future academic, emotional, and social success. By playing and learning together, children build their social skills, language skills, and self-control. With support from teachers, children learn to resolve conflicts and get a head start on academic concepts they will use for the rest of their lives.”
Researchers say that preschool programs can be advantageous for children, compared to those who start kindergarten without any previous exposure to education.
That’s true for all children, according to the authors of a 2017 study for the Brookings Institution, but those from poorer families frequently benefit more.
“Researchers who study pre-K education often find that children who have had early experiences of economic scarcity and insecurity gain more from these programs than their more advantaged peers,” the study reads in part.
In an article published in December, GreatSchools—a nonprofit education advocacy group—listed 10 reasons that families should put their young children in preschool programs. Among them:
Getting a head start on learning before kindergarten, which is becoming more focused on academics than in the past.
Early opportunities for children to build relationships with adults outside their families.
“High-quality preschool programs nurture warm relationships among children, teachers and parents,” the article states. “And teachers build a close personal connection with each child in their care.”
Some of the benefits include an introduction to a structured environment, opportunities to build vocabulary and cognitive skills and early development of math, literacy and motor skills.
Dr. Gabriella Durán Blakey, the district’s chief operations officer and incoming APS superintendent, said it’s important that families take advantage of preschool opportunities.
“Investing in children early and getting them on a good start is critical,” she said. “Preschool is free and available to everyone, so we want parents to know that there are so many different options out there. And we’re all working together to make sure that parents can find the right place for their child.”
Blakey will take over as superintendent this year; she is replacing Scott Elder, whose contract expires June 30.
More information on APS preschool programs is available here.