Importance of Kindergarten
“There’s that funny quote, ‘Everything that I ever needed to learn, I learned in kindergarten,’” said Matt Martinez, principal of Northwest Elementary School in the Butler Area School District.
Multiple Butler County education experts agree preschool and kindergarten are “crucial” to a child’s development. Many describe it as “the foundation” for their academic careers and social capabilities.
“We know that developmentally for kids, from birth to 5 (years old) is such a great opportunity for kids to make gains in terms of cognition, social development, fine and gross motor skills, all of those things that build the foundation for later success,” said Susan Miller, an assistant superintendent in the Slippery Rock Area School District. “The earlier kids can get access to quality learning, it pays dividends later on.
“Not only is kindergarten critical, I would say that prior to that, preschool experiences are critical,” Miller said.
For many children, preschool and kindergarten classes are the first places they learn. Not just academically, but learning how to be a student.
