Beyond ABCs: How Enrichment Builds Foundational Skills for Preschoolers

Back-to-school season isn't just for school-age children. For families with preschoolers, late summer is a time to evaluate early learning programs that support critical developmental years. Researchers at the Harvard Graduate School of Education identify six foundational skills—creativity, critical thinking, curiosity, self-regulation, perspective-taking, and early identity—as essential for lifelong learning. These skills are often nurtured through enrichment experiences that encourage exploration, creation, communication, and problem-solving.

Parents increasingly seek full-time daycare options that integrate enrichment into the daily schedule, such as The Crème School, a premium early learning provider. Crème offers four daily, 30-minute enrichment experiences in dedicated classrooms covering STEM, Spanish, music, and art. These programs are guided by research-based curricula and reinforce the skills Harvard researchers highlight. For example, STEM fosters curiosity and critical thinking through hands-on exploration; music enhances creativity, memory, and attention; visual arts develop fine motor skills and confidence; and Spanish builds communication and perspective-taking abilities.

“Our enrichment classes do more than expose children to new subjects,” said Stephanie Sturdevant-Ward, vice president of operations for The Crème Schools. “They help develop the habits that support learning throughout life, such as asking questions, working through challenges, collaborating with others, and approaching problems with curiosity and confidence.” As families consider school choices, they should evaluate not only what children learn but how they learn. When enrichment is woven into the daily curriculum, children gain more opportunities to grow foundational skills. Families can learn more at CremedelaCreme.com.