By PAT NEWMAN
pnewman@thecitizennews.com

Preparing children to be socially competent is the key purpose of preschool education, according to Dawn Oparah, local education specialist.

She addressed about 75 preschool teachers and directors attending the annual Fayette County Preschool Conference last week at Holy Trinity Catholic Church.

Oparah urged teachers to allow children the time to learn to get along and discover through interaction that the world does not revolve around them. This skill supersedes academics, she said. “They are getting ready to learn, she said.”

Recognizing the increasing number of parents who want their children to “be ahead” and be accepted in gifted programs when they reach elementary school, Oparah urged directors to head off unrealistic expectations with parent workshops prior to school opening.

“Kids feel pressure imposed by expectations,” said Oparah. “These children are going into elementary school with problems with depression and anxiety attacks,” she added, referring to some second and third graders she has encountered. “Kids are going to learn if you create an environment for learning take place. Too much pressure is counterproductive.”

Fayette County school superintendent John DeCotis, Ph.D., opened the conference emphasizing in his remarks the importance of early childhood education. “Nowadays, there's more emphasis on it. More and more children are going to school at an earlier age, and research shows how important it is. We (the school district) rely on what you do to prepare our students.”

He advocated a “development” approach to education as the best way to teach, “taking into consideration that children learn at different rates.”

“Keep in mind how important your role is; the job is much more important than the pay you receive,” DeCotis said, as the audience laughed in appreciation. He advised the teachers and directors to take time with their students, adding, “The small gain that you see can be a huge gain for that child.”

He also encouraged them to establish good dialogue, network and “Keep up the hope and not give up.”