There is a growing movement across the U.S. to update reading and math curricula for grades K–3 to align with research-backed practices. However, this effort overlooks a critical area: preschool. Nearly half of all four-year-olds in the U.S. begin their formal education in public preschool, a number that continues to rise. While these programs generally provide safe and well-organized classrooms, they often fail to develop essential early learning skills that are crucial for future literacy and math success.
Strong preschool experiences are important because they lay the foundation for a child's learning journey. Research shows that the significant learning gap between children from higher-income and lower-income families in language, literacy, and math begins before kindergarten. Attending preschool can improve kindergarten readiness and have lasting benefits, sometimes extending into adulthood. These benefits include following teacher directions, getting along with peers, understanding the relationship between letters and sounds, having a strong vocabulary, and grasping basic math concepts.
Despite their importance, many preschool programs use outdated curricula that do not reflect current early learning research. To address this, three changes are necessary:
1. Update approved curricula: Public preschool programs should revise their lists of approved curricula to include only those proven to enhance young children's learning and development.
2. Combine curricula: Since the most effective preschool curricula usually focus on one or two areas like math or literacy, programs should use multiple curricula instead to cover all important areas.
3. Link curricula to teacher development: Effective implementation requires connecting curricula with ongoing teacher professional development and coaching. Instead of focusing on general best practices or sporadic training, professional development should be continuous and specific to the curricula being used.
By focusing on these areas, preschool programs can more effectively prepare children for future academic success.
Picture: The Country School, by Winslow Homer (Wikimedia Commons)
