The Benefits of Teaching Lessons Learned in Preschool to Older Kids
Preschool students from Nikki Jones’ class at Porter Early Childhood Development Center in Tulsa line up in the hallway on their way back from outside play. (John W. Poole/NPR)
By Anya Kamenetz, NPR
Listening. Sharing. Following directions. Making friends. Managing big emotions. Planning for the future.
A high-quality preschool program helps children develop in all these ways. But, a new report argues, such matters of the heart shouldn’t be left behind just as students are learning to tie their shoes.
Melissa Tooley and Laura Bornfreund of the New America Foundation write that schools should focus on these same skills, habits, attitudes, and mindsets with older kids. They say research shows they’re just as important as academics.
