[starpilot]

Don't preschool and kindergarten teach vital social skills that can affect how you interact with others for the rest of your life?

[1123581321]

Only as an intervention—outcomes are similar with or without for healthy families (using income as proxy.)

[nevinera]

In the absence of basic parenting, yes - that's an important function the setting serves. But it's not 'preparation for 1st grade', it's minimal damage-mitigation.

[whymauri]

In the absence of basic parenting? The child is spending like eight hours away from their parents. Of course it's going to have an impact, parenting present or not.

[jonstewart]

Yes, this is referred to as Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) and is a major focus of teaching in PreK and kindergarten.