Tuesday was a beautiful spring day so Lewisburg Elementary School preschool teacher Ashley Jones took her class of outside to play. Though it may have looked like the children were just playing, they were actually learning some of the most basic and important lessons learned in preschool.

When Jones called to one boy and told him to stop what he was doing, he was learning to listen. When one girl pushed another on the swing, they were learning cooperation. And when they lined up to go outside, they were all learning to follow instructions and walk in a line. All this learning going on, not to mention the development of gross motor skills.

“Preschool provides an opportunity to learn,” Jones said. “They learn from experience and they learn from each other.”

The lessons may seem simple, but they are the building blocks upon which a successful start in school are built.

Logan County parents who are interested in learning more about what preschool has to offer and how to go about enrolling their children at the annual Transition to Preschool Parent Meeting set for Thursday, March 19 at 6 p.m. at Logan County High School.

Jane Wilkins, Family Facilitator for Logan County schools, said this is a great chance for parents to find out how to get their children started in preschool.

Preschool is offered at all five of the elementary schools. Most are half-day programs that meet on Mondays through Thursday but the Chandler’s preschool is an all day program that meets five days a week.

Each class is limited to 20 students, so Wilkins said it is important for parents to register their children as soon as possible.

There are a couple of ways for a child 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 also qualify based on income.

Preschoolers who have special needs will be able to work on those areas with trained professionals such as physical, occupational and speech therapists during their time in class.

At the Transition to Preschool meeting, parents can sign children up for preschool screening which is set for April 10 and 17.

Jones said it is amazing how much the children learn over the year. One student in her class didn’t even talk when he first started and now he is saying words.

“Whenever you see progress in them, it’s great,” she said.

Jones and her assistant, Rhonda Vincent, focus on the basics in all they do each day. Jones said the main things they work on are cooperation, following the rules and letter recognition.

Although preschool is not really an academic grade, Jones said they do go over letters and numbers. She encourages parents to read with their children and gives parents suggestions on how they can help their children be ready for kindergarten.

Wilkins said the time in preschool pays off as the young students begin kindergarten which is much more academic than it used to be.

“All the kindergarten teachers say you can tell a child who has been through preschool and one who has not,” Wilkins said.

For more information on preschool in Logan County, call 726-2436 or attend the meeting on March 19 at 6 p.m. at LCHS.