Opinion: Leadership skills can begin in preschool

By Tanya Graysmark

Where and how do we begin developing our leadership skills?

There is an ongoing debate among researchers on whether leaders are born or leaders are made. My opinion is that leaders are made beginning with the smallest of milestones. These tiny steps towards leadership can begin in preschool at the early age of 2.

Quality preschool classrooms are designed to enrich small group play experiences (such as Legos, blocks, dolls) that teach toddlers how to share, work together and problem solve as a team. The skills that are taught throughout the day in preschool classrooms across the country help our children begin their leadership development and teamwork skills.

These skills are vital for success in our children’s future educational classrooms, in the development of lasting relationships, and in the workplace.

Longitudinal research on low-income preschool students (Perry Preschool study, Abecedarian study and the Chicago Child-Parent Centers study) suggests that children who are given the opportunity to develop these skills early in their educational experience are more apt to do better in school, have higher graduation rates, stronger marriages, secure higher paying jobs and have less criminal convictions than their counterparts who do not attend a high quality preschool program.

Preschool is a wonderful foundation for developing our future leaders.

Maricopa offers a wide variety of preschool programs, one that can fit your busy schedule and fit your budget.

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Tanya Graysmark is a teacher, mother and owner of Graysmark Academy, a private preschool-elementary school in Maricopa.