How VPK Can Benefit Your Child

If you live in Florida, you may have heard about a Voluntary Prekindergarten Program (VPK) before, but don’t know much about what it is and how it can benefit your child’s education. This post looks at these questions and hopes you’ll not only have a better understanding of VPK programs, but will be interested in enrolling your child in one.

What is a VPK?

A VPK is a free prekindergarten program for children aged 4 and 5 in Florida. The program began in 2005, with Florida being one of the first states to offer it to all 4-year-olds regardless of family income. Proponents of the program say VPK helps young children get a head start on their education by tailoring learning materials for their level. According to floridayearlylearning.com, Since the program began in 2005-06, more than 2.5 million children have benefitted from VPK. Data
collected by the Department of Education show that children who participate in VPK are much more ready for kindergarten than children who do not participate in VPK.

How VPK Can Benefit Your Child

One of the perks of living in Florida is that parents can enroll their kids in a VPK program. As mentioned, the VPK program is free to all 4-year-olds. However, if you’re wondering what benefits, if any, a 4-year-old can get from a prekindergarten program, the answers may surprise you.

Improved Literacy Skills

According to the U.S. Department of Education, 54% of U.S. adults 16-74 years old read below a sixth- grade level. Moreover, 1 in 5 U.S. adults struggles to read basic sentences. Low literacy is associated with lower income levels, unemployment, and poor health, so your child must develop strong literacy skills as soon as possible. Because young children absorb knowledge like a sponge, enrolling them in a VPK can kickstart the literacy skills that will carry them through the rest of their lives.

Improved Cognitive Development

Another advantage of enrolling your child in a VPK is that these programs provide age-appropriate tasks to help their brains develop the pathways needed to improve their cognitive functions. VPK programs teach kids through tasks like recognizing color, shapes, fundamental similarity, and counting. While it might seem like play (it is), it helps children grasp concepts like time, and space, how to organize things, how to solve fundamental problems, etc.

Head Start on Physicality & Motor Development

Physical fitness and good motor skills are more crucial now than ever because many children spend too much time sitting on the couch playing games or fiddling with their gadgets. VPK programs provide kids with much-needed physical activity to strengthen their fine motor skills while they have fun.

Builds Self-Esteem

When kids interact with other kids their age and learn to work together to solve puzzles, win games, or complete a task, it helps build self-esteem and reinforces a positive “can-do” attitude. Furthermore, kids working together teaches them the importance of teamwork, a skill they’ll carry with them for the rest of their lives.

DEVELOPS SOCIAL SKILLS

It’s never too early to introduce your child to social interaction with kids their age. We’re social creatures, and most activities in life involve interacting with other people. It’s helpful for kids to get accustomed to working and cooperating with others as soon as possible to help them learn how to thrive in social situations when they get older.

Gives Them a Head Start on School

Finally, enrolling your child in a VPK program is an excellent way to jump-start their education and prepare them for kindergarten and beyond. Not only will a VPK program help your children with the skills mentioned, but it’s a perfect time to reveal any weaknesses they might have, so you can address them before they can negatively impact their learning success. Studies show that early childhood education, or the time from birth to kindergarten, and that, on average, children who participate in early childhood education programs earn higher grades and develop a lifelong love of learning.

About Kids R’ Kids

At Kids R’ Kids at Avalon Park, our VPK program is designed to set your child up for success in a fun and safe environment. Our facility is family owned and operated by residents with highly trained, personable, and dedicated staff.
For more information about enrolling your child for the 2022-23 fall VPK program, click here or call us at 407-306-9035.