The cooperative preschool environment is perfect for parents who want to be actively involved in their child’s first school experience and who would like to contribute their time and abilities to a small community of families. Research suggests that parent participation in a child’s preschool program is positively associated with social adjustment and school performance. Both parents and children benefit from parents assisting in the classroom.
Benefits for Parents:
- Have the opportunity to network with parents of other preschoolers.
- Learn ways to reinforce the skills and ideas their children are learning at school.
- Gain understanding about the development of young children and ideas on how to interact with them.
- There are often stronger ties and commitment to the school.
- Gain knowledge about problem prevention and discipline strategies by observing the early childhood educator.
- Benefit from a reasonable tuition.
Benefits for Children:
- Benefit from the experiences of many “teachers” with many different skills.
- Learn through positive role modeling.
- Benefit from the supportive linkages of home and preschool.
- Share important life experiences with their parents.
- Benefit from a low child-to-adult ratio.
- Tend to achieve more, regardless of ethnic or racial background, socioeconomic status, or parents’ education level.
- Often behave better in school as a result of a positive attitude about school.