| Preschool offers an introduction to a learning | | | | learning games include a number of activities such |
| environment for children who are not yet old | | | | as ball play that fosters hand-eye coordination, |
| enough for Kindergarten. Children sometimes as | | | | writing games that further fine motor skills, |
| young as 2 ½ and up until the age of five | | | | physical games that help promote gross motor |
| or the start of Kindergarten, meet several | | | | skills, card games to help encourage memory |
| mornings or afternoons a week where they | | | | retention, and games focused on books to instill a |
| participate in organized activities designed to | | | | love of reading and language. Many teachers will |
| increase socialization and introduce educational | | | | find creative ways to teach the basics such as |
| fundamentals. Often included as part of these | | | | ABC's, mathematics, social science, and history |
| preschool curriculums are preschool learning | | | | through preschool learning games and fun play. |
| games. | | | | Additionally, the modern preschool environment will |
| As we know, young children learn best through | | | | often utilize computers to incorporate preschool |
| play. During the course of play, they learn social | | | | learning games. A host of computer programs |
| skills such as taking turns and working together, | | | | geared to the preschool age teach a variety of |
| as well as absorbing the fundamentals of the | | | | essential lessons with the assistance of color |
| lesson without even realizing that they are doing | | | | graphics, lighthearted music, and recognizable |
| so. Further, this particular age group is most | | | | characters to spark the interest of children. |
| receptive to learning new skills; their brains are like | | | | When choosing a preschool, look for a curriculum |
| sponges, eager to soak up all that they see, hear, | | | | that incorporates preschool learning games into |
| and experience. It is for this reason that preschool | | | | daily activity. This first foray into a learning |
| programs are generally play based. | | | | environment should be one that includes nurturing, |
| Preschool learning games are built into the | | | | fun, and activity. Research has shown us time and |
| curriculum to help foster these important lessons | | | | again that children respond to this type of |
| that will help children have a successful | | | | environment and will retain a love for school and |
| Kindergarten experience and, ultimately, a | | | | of learning that will follow them for a lifetime. |
| successful school career. Today's preschool | | | | |