prekindergarten

Prekindergarten, often shortened to pre-K or PK, refers to early childhood education programs designed for children who are typically three to five years old, serving as the bridge before compulsory kindergarten. The goal of pre-K is to support school readiness by promoting early literacy and numeracy, social-emotional development, and foundational cognitive skills. Programs are offered in public and private settings and may be universal or targeted to families based on age, income, or risk factors.

Pre-K programs may be half-day or full-day and can be found in public schools, private preschools, Head Start programs, and community organizations. In some regions, universal pre-K provides access to all eligible children, while others provide subsidies or eligibility-based enrollment.

Curricula emphasize developmentally appropriate practices, with a balance of play, structured activities, and guided instruction. Learning often focuses on language development, emergent literacy, number sense, discovery, science, arts, and social skills such as cooperation and self-regulation. Instruction is typically presented through interactive activities, small-group work, and routines that support independence and attention to tasks.

Pre-K differs from kindergarten in age of entry, schedule length, and emphasis on play-based exploration rather than formal academics. Access and funding vary by country and locality, with program quality and alignment to child development standards influencing outcomes.

Studies suggest that high-quality pre-K can improve early literacy and math readiness, vocabulary, and social-emotional skills, with some evidence of longer-term benefits. The magnitude of effects generally depends on program quality, duration, and family engagement.