Why More Families Are Choosing Online Learning: The Rise of Virtual Pre-K

By Niyoka McCoy, Ed.D. | The Seattle Medium | Word In BlackThis post was originally published on Seattle Medium (WIB) – If you catch a glimpse of 4- and 5-year-olds in attendance of a virtual pre-k classroom, you may witness a chorus of enthusiastic voices singing “The Wheels on the Bus,” with hands energetically following the motions of their teacher. These young learners represent a rapidly growing trend of parents opting out of the traditional classroom setting in favor of online learning environments, where engaging teachers, family involvement, and interactive resources create a captivating learning experience.While both online and traditional pre-k programs share similarities—such as state-certified teachers leading classes and opportunities for peer interaction—virtual learning offers unique advantages. Teachers are specially trained for online instruction and excel in “edutainment,” a high-energy, engaging teaching approach that captures the young students’ attention through the screen. Moreover, students benefit from frequent one-to-one instruction, including dedicated sessions focused on key literacy skills such as letter recognition and learning to form specific sounds through mouth movements.Virtual programs also strike a balance between desk time and hands-on activities away from the screen. For example, a science lesson involves a project where students and their families build...