Pre-K, or pre-kindergarten, is a voluntary classroom-based preschool program for children below the age of five in the United States, Canada, Turkey, and Greece. It is designed to prepare children for kindergarten, focusing on important academic and social skills. Pre-K is distinct and separate from preschool, although both curriculums address childrens needs. The key difference between the two programs is the age of the children attending. In preschool, the students are between 2 and 4 years old, while children in pre-K are around 4 or 5. Pre-K is geared towards preparation for kindergarten and tends to be more focused on pre-academic skills like literacy and math. Lessons in pre-K are typically more advanced than preschool, and children learn to work independently to build self-confidence. Pre-K programs can be found in both full-time and part-time formats, and full-time Pre-K programs often follow a schedule similar to that of a typical elementary school day. Pre-K is not required, but children who attend Pre-K are more likely to be ready to learn to read when they reach Kindergarten.