Your children deserve quality education right from the formative years of their life. High-quality early childhood education gives young children the best possible start in their lives. It gives them ample opportunity to grow, learn and develop. It also helps to create a sense of responsibility and independence, learn new skills, and make new friends, and it prepares them for transitioning to school.
Here’s how early childhood education supports children’s development.
Brain Development and Children
Genes and the environment play a vital role in brain development. The first six years of young children’s lives are the most crucial in their development. Doctor Maria Montessori termed this period the “Absorbent Mind”, describing the children’s incredible capacity to absorb information from their environment without conscious effort. The brain strongly influences everything that happens in and around the child’s mind. Young children also draw a strong influence from everything that happens around them, and the people they interact with have an impact on the development of their brains. That is where childcare and early education philosophy are important.
About Interaction
Hearing and vision pathways are the first to develop in babies. The skills for early language and essential cognitive functions start developing next. Between the age of two and four, a child’s vocabulary and communication skills develop substantially. The connections get more complex as they grow up. As they start communicating better, it could be a good time to enrol them in early childhood programs if they are not already going to daycare. Several international research has proved that young children attending childcare centres and preschools can handle social, emotional, and cognitive activities better. It helps them in their transition to primary school.
Learning through Playing
Most children aged between 3 and 5 enjoy playing with other children from the same age group. In the early childhood curriculum, educators encourage children to play with others, share toys and materials, and practise turn-taking. With continuous interaction, young learners begin developing valuable interpersonal skills. For example, they learn about cooperation and empathy, which will help them get along well with others.
Sense of Community
While searching on the internet for an “early learning centre near me”, you would ideally look for institutions where children spend ample time with peers. Spending time with others allows children to learn social skills such as sharing, compromising, and helping. Acquiring new skills, such as the development of empathy, can be challenging for some children. However, playing, communicating, and watching others around them make understanding each other’s feelings easier.
Sense of Independence
Many parents wonder about how to get their kids ready for school. When searching for a childcare centre or preschool, it is important to consider their School Readiness program. At Montessori Academy, children participate in a comprehensive School Readiness and Kindergarten Preparation Program during their final year of preschool. This ensures that children have all the foundational knowledge and skills needed to make a successful transition to any type of primary school.
Going to an early learning centre or preschool is very beneficial for children. They help nurture children’s self-confidence, independence, self-discipline, and love of learning. Choosing a childcare centre or preschool for your children can be an intimidating task, and it can take a while for children to adjust to this new environment. If you’re considering sending your child to childcare for the first time, make sure you read our tips for starting childcare for a smooth transition.