By: Staff Writers


Recently, many educators and government officials have been promoting pre-K education as the most effective way of preparing young kids for kindergarten, socially, emotionally and cognitively. But a new study conducted by Vanderbilt University complicates the picture. It questions whether pre-K is truly effective in providing kids with an academic advantage.

The Vanderbilt researchers conducted a longitudinal study in which they tracked the progress of about one thousand 3 and 4 year olds from low-income homes over four years, 700 of whom were about to enter a pre-K program, and 300 of whom were not. The study found that pre-K graduates lost their enthusiasm for school by the end of first grade, and by second grade, they were falling behind academically. The study suggests that pre-K may be less effective than assumed.

The researchers do not disregard the importance and effectiveness of pre-K completely and offer that other factors may be involved. For example, Mark Lipsey, one of the Vanderbilt researchers, speculates that the reason so many of the pre-K kids lost enthusiasm for school by the time they reached grade school was that they had ended up doing and learning the same things for three years in a row. Plus, two similar studies conducted in 2008 and 1993 found that given the chance to attend preschool, at-risk children actually ended up with higher paying jobs, higher IQ’s, and spent less time in jail than their peers who did not attend pre-K.

It seems it’s the type of pre-K education children get that is most important. Savvy Aunties can add value to pre-K education by reading with nieces and nephews, finding ways to include STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) into their everyday activities, and finding time for uninterrupted play. Playtime helps young children develop their social, emotional and cognitive skills.  

Photo: malija
Published: November 17, 2015