Overlooked Benefits of Prekindergarten

By Karen Schulman

NIEER Policy Report (March 2005)

Summary

Studies have shown that high-quality prekindergarten can better prepare children for school, increase their chances of academic success, and even enable them to avoid welfare and crime later in life. But these are not the only positive outcomes of a high-quality pre-K experience. These studies also suggest that prekindergarten can strengthen a child’s commitment and attitude toward school, enhance the parenting skills of children’s parents, and have positive impacts on family relationships.  This report summarizes research findings about these wider benefits of early education.