On one side of the room, Hunter McGhee, Price Violette and Sydney Shelton were very busy Wednesday morning creating a movie. They built a set, had characters and were working on a plot. Meanwhile, Audrey Smith was cooking sausage on the stove and her friends were busy setting the table. Later they worked together to clean up.

All of this activity was just part of a normal day in preschool at Olmstead Elementary. And while it may seem like childs play to some, much learning is actually going on.

“That's what preschool is all about - the exposure to things,” said teacher Dawn Harper. For many young students, learning how to interact with others is the most important lesson learned in preschool. Learning to follow the rules is also important.

“There are things you don't think about but they don't come naturally,” Harper said.

Some children come to preschool and don't know how to sit in a chair at a table, stand in line or take turns. Learning these basic skills will help get them off to a better start when they begin kindergarten. As kindergarten becomes more academically challenging, preschool is even more important.

Jane Wilkins, Family Facilitator for Preschool for the Logan County School District, said that kindergarten teachers often comment about how students who have been to preschool are better prepared and have an easier time when starting kindergarten.

Parents of young children who want to learn more about preschool in Logan County should attend the Transition to Preschool Parent Meeting set for Thursday, April 10 at 5:30 p.m. at Logan County High School. Wilkins said this is a great way to learn more about enrolling a child in the preschool program.

At the meeting, parents will gather information and can also set up screening dates. Child care will be provided during the meeting.

Wilkins explained that there are a couple of ways to qualify for preschool. One way for both three and four year olds to qualify is with what is called a developmental delay. This could be in the area of speech and language, cognitive abilities, motor skills or even personal/social skills and independent living/adaptive abilities. Children are screened to see if they qualify in one of these areas. Children who turn four by October 1 can qualify based on income.

All five of the elementary schools in Logan County have a preschool program. Most of them have a morning class and an afternoon class that meet for three hours on Monday through Thursday. Chandlers recently went to an all-day preschool program which runs from 7:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. five days a week.

A typical day at preschool involves eating, circle time, small group activities, reading time, center time and outside or gym time. Students who need special help in areas such as speech receive that help from a specialist who visits the class.

Harper, who is in her first year as a preschool teacher at Olmstead, said she knows firsthand from her own children how helpful preschool can be in preparing a child for kindergarten.

Wanda Harper, the preschool aide at Olmstead, has worked with the young students for 17 years and she loves preschool.

The children seem to feel the same.

“I like to come here because I see my friends,” said Harley Robertson as she worked to set the table in the family living area.

“I like to play with Harley,” added Sheridan Shelton.

Other students said they enjoy the centers.

With class size limited to 20 students, Wilkins said it is especially important for parents who want their child to attend this fall to go ahead and enroll the child.

“It does fill up quickly,” Wilkins said.

For more information on the meeting or to schedule a screening date, call Logan County Schools at 726-2436.