What are the Similarities between Pre-School and Pre-K?
Both pre-school and pre-kindergarten settings have a playful learning environment and classroom. Children in these settings are provided with hands-on experience to learn, create, and explore using play, music, art, reading, and social time inside and outside. The use of play and pretend-play is encouraged as part of learning, exploring, growth and development. Play involves use of all senses and develops awareness of self and of others in the school setting.
How are Pre-School and Pre-K Different?
Pre-school is a more organized extension of daycare. Children in pre-school are usually between the ages of 2 to 4 years of age. The teaching is less structured, but a general routine is followed during the day. There is lots of time for play, with the type of play loosely planned around exploratory play, side-by-side play, gross motor play, fine motor skill development, creative art based play, story time, self-help ability, learning the alphabet, colors, numbers, and shapes. In addition, there is snack or meal time, quiet time or nap time, group walks or outside play.
Pre-K or Pre-Kindergarten provide more complicated activities and group time to help prepare a child for formal school time and work. Children attending pre-K are generally 4 to 5 or 6 years of age. Daily routines are more structured and often include the addition of math, science and critical thinking activities. Children in pre-K are more self-sufficient with toileting, dressing, and feeding skills. Activities and learning periods in pre-K promote early reading, writing, and basic problem solving exercises. Pre-K classrooms often connect for more interaction with the rest of the school aged children.
