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Preschool used to be seen as a nice, optional experience for children to attend the year prior to entering kindergarten; however, these days it is an expectation of children. Today’s kindergarten classrooms have faster paced instruction, increased demand for attention and social skills and are more like first grade was twenty years ago. To be successful in kindergarten, children must be prepared. Every child should have some sort of group experience before he or she starts kindergarten. Preschool teaches children how to be students. Children learn how to raise hands, take turns and share attention from teachers and other adults with their peers. It also teaches them appropriate separation and routine-building skills making for an easier transition to kindergarten. Children who are exposed to preschool enter school ready and eager to learn and with a solid foundation of social and behavior-management skills, which is why Linking Families and Communities supports parents, children and area preschools.