Young children thrive in nurturing environments with access to enriching educational experiences. Participating in high-quality early education programs can help children develop the skills they need to be ready for kindergarten.
Florida’s voluntary pre-kindergarten programs, or VPK, offer free, high-quality education focusing on kindergarten readiness. Studies show that children who attend VPK before kindergarten are better prepared for kindergarten and typically have fewer behavioral issues through elementary school.
This article explores how VPK can help prepare children for kindergarten. You’ll learn about voluntary pre-kindergarten education and how a VPK program can help get children ready for school.
If you are a parent interested in learning how VPK can prepare your child for school success, reach out to the New Horizons team now. Our high-quality VPK programs teach kindergarten skills and are a lot of fun. Contact us now with questions or to schedule a tour of our learning center.
What is VPK?
Voluntary pre-kindergarten (VPK) programs offer education to all four-year-olds living in Florida. VPK programs allow children to receive high-quality education the year before kindergarten. This program is free to all families, regardless of family income.
There are two VPK sessions each year. The school year program provides 540 educational hours, and the summer program offers 300 instructional hours. Educated, experienced teachers, qualified support staff, and small class sizes mean each child receives a high-quality education.
VPK programs are available in many settings, including public schools, private centers, and child care programs. They follow a common curriculum, ensuring all children receive targeted, high-quality education before school starts.
Research shows that children who participate in voluntary prekindergarten education programs have better outcomes when they enter school. They may have better social skills, a stronger foundation of knowledge, and more confidence starting school.
A VPK program is different from child care. While these programs do provide nurturing care and guidance, they also focus on providing education that can prepare children for kindergarten success.
Exploring the VPK Curriculum
Florida is a leader in providing free, high-quality pre-kindergarten education. Here is a look at what children learn in VPK.
Literacy
Research shows that children who have early exposure to literacy typically do better once they reach kindergarten. In a VPK, literacy is a focus. Teachers use a variety of engaging, play-based strategies to teach literacy skills, including:
- Recognizing letters
- Learning the alphabet
- Identifying letter sounds
- Story order (what happens first, next, last)
Teachers may read books, help children act out familiar stories, sing songs, and engage in other engaging classroom activities.
STEM
Science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) are important skills to learn, even during preschool. Children who start school with a strong foundation of STEM experiences may be better able to learn more complex ideas later.
Dedicated VPK educators use a variety of hands-on learning experiences to teach STEM skills in VPK. These may include doing simple science experiments, building with different materials, learning numbers, and more.
Social-emotional learning
Social-emotional skills are critical during kindergarten. Children who have better-developed social skills often feel more comfortable in a kindergarten classroom. They may also transition into school more easily and have fewer behavioral problems throughout elementary school.
Teachers facilitate social-emotional learning in VPK by modeling appropriate social behaviors. They may also use other play-based, collaborative approaches, including:
- Practicing good manners through role-play
- Working as a team to do art projects or other tasks
- Learning to recognize and name emotions
- Reading books about feelings
- Learning effective conflict resolution skills
Young children can benefit from early exposure to social-emotional learning. A VPK supports each child’s social and emotional growth. This early learning can help them be better classroom community members in kindergarten and beyond.
How Does VPK Prepare Children For Kindergarten?
A VPK provides high-quality education to all children at no cost to their families. When necessary, children may be eligible for individualized education plans (IEPs). The education children receive in VPK can help them be more successful in kindergarten and throughout elementary school.
In addition to giving children a solid foundation of knowledge to build on during kindergarten and beyond, here are some of the other ways VPK prepares children for kindergarten.
Better communication
Participating in a VPK can help children develop better communication skills. They may feel more confident communicating their needs, questions, and interests in a classroom setting. Children may also have the skills and language needed to join a group of friends, explain complex thoughts and feelings, and more.
More confidence
Attending a VPK can increase a child’s ability to solve problems in new, creative ways. This can help children approach kindergarten with more confidence. Children who trust their ability to solve problems and face challenges often have less anxiety when starting kindergarten.
Improved physical health
Research shows that children who attend VPK may have better physical health than those who do not. Outdoor play, physical activities, and nutritious, regular meals can all contribute to a child’s general health in the years before kindergarten.
Find a VPK
If you or a parent in your life wants to learn more about voluntary prekindergarten education (VPK), reach out to the team at New Horizons. Contact us to learn more about our early learning programs or to schedule a tour of our learning center.
