Advantages of Preschool

All my friends are sending their kids to preschool. Are they really giving their children an advantage that I should give my own two children? Just what is the value of preschool? Could my children get the same advantages staying home with me? -Stay-at-Home Mom
Answer: Sending children to preschool gives them certain advantages, but then so does staying at home with loving families. You really can't go wrong, no matter what you decide to do. Either decision can get your children started on the path to success in school.
A good preschool will give children a rich background of experiences, but these same experiences can be duplicated with some effort by making trips outside the home and providing creative playthings for stay-at-home children. Preschool does have the advantage of giving children a taste of what school is like, making the transition to kindergarten easier. And because preschool is fun, they are likely to develop a good attitude toward school. Nevertheless, a similar advantage can be given to children staying at home by enrolling them in library, parks, church and other community programs for preschoolers.
One of the big plusses of preschool is the training it gives children in social skills. Having the chance to play frequently with other children the same age helps them learn how to share, negotiate, cooperate and make friends. Plus, there is the satisfaction of belonging to a group and learning how to participate with others in school activities. To enhance the socialization of stay-at-home preschoolers, parents can join with others to form play groups or simply make sure that children have many opportunities to play with their peers.
Attending a preschool lets children discover that other children have the same worries, fears and delights, leading them to realize that their own feelings are not unique. Regularly playing with children does the same for those who stay at home. For some children, preschool brings increased self-esteem because succeeding at school tasks leads them to become more confident of their own abilities. Many also develop a greater sense of independence. At home, children receive a great deal of one-on-one attention from their parents, while at school the teacher's attention must be shared with others, making children more self-reliant. Children attending preschool might also have more opportunities to discover that other adults besides parents will care for them, which makes the world feel like a safer place.
There are advantages that tilt toward the children that stay at home. While both experiences will improve listening and speaking skills, steady one-on-one contact with adults can be a bigger vocabulary builder and developer of speaking skills. There is also the very real advantage of additional nurturing for those who stay at home.