The Importance of Early Childhood Education

Before getting into the importance of early childhood education, we must first talk about what it is. Early childhood education refers to the period from the birth of a child to when they first enter an institution or organization (kindergarten). This period is essential for a child as they learn how to interact with others and also begin to grow interests and hobbies that will live with them as they grow up. According to UNESCO, early childhood care and education “aims at the holistic development of child’s social, emotional, cognitive and physical needs to build a solid and broad foundation for lifelong learning and wellbeing.”

Socialization

In an early childhood education program, your child will learn some specific social skills such as expressing emotions such as sadness, anger, and happiness. They also work on tee aspect of coping with their feelings. In a group setting, with few teachers and more students, the children will naturally learn to take turns and communicate. If your child is enrolled in this program, they will learn how to cooperate with his peers. This social skill is highly essential. It is especially significant for kids who don’t have siblings.

Improved Academic Participation

Children who had access to early education programs before getting into kindergarten and starting school are most likely to perform better in reading and math. There is also a direct correlation between children who stayed with their parents at home and underperformance in school. A study by Harvard revealed that early childhood education increases the likelihood of graduation from high school. Another study revealed graduation rates for those children who didn’t go to preschool were 60 percent whereas, the graduation rates for those who enrolled in an early education program were 80 percent.

Better Attention Span

In this digital age, attention span can be a challenging issue for several parents. Children need the help of parents and teachers to develop better concentration. Early childhood education programs have the program of working on attention span in their curriculum of the learning process. In preschool, the kids also learn to understand the difference between study time and playtime. Children studying at home are more exposed to lengthier screen time than kids who are enrolled in an early education program. Screen time can shorten attention spans. Parents are most likely to keep their kids engaged with TV and devices to catch a break. An early educational program might help by offering an adequate amount of study time to the kids.

Developed Self-Esteem

Self-esteem is linked with how you can interact with your teachers and peers from an early age. Pre-school and early childhood education programs offer positive reinforcement by encouraging children to speak, engage, and ask questions. Your child must learn it is all right to ask questions when they are not aware of the topic or the answer. This confidence will carry them throughout life.

Diversity

With every program and institution, your child will be exposed to new people, new stories, culture, religion, socio-economic status, and more. An early childhood education will expose your child to diversity from a very young age. The value of comprehending diversity plays a crucial role in the future of the world.

STEM Skills

Kids can learn STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) skills from an early age. Being exposed to STEM topics will improve their critical thinking as well as boost their STEM skills. Young children perform well on STEM projects if they are working as a group. According to research, children can concentrate and stay motivated for longer when they see other kids of their age doing the same task. One of the great aspects of an early childhood program is that they encourage curiosity. Curiosity is one of the best signs of a good learner. When your child will get the opportunity to ask questions, this positive emphasis will help them remain interested in STEM later in life.

Creativity

Early childhood programs offer the opportunity for kids to be messy and creative. They will get exposed to the artistic aspects of life such as arts, music, dancing, and more. This is the period where the child learns about their interests, passions, and hobbies. It is significant for them to learn and discover their artistic interest in life. Painting lets us see the world in our way. Music is just as significant as reading and writing. The skills that children learn while participating in music contribute to their overall brain development as well.

Lifetime Benefits

The lessons and benefits a child gains from a preschool program, last with them for a lifetime. Some of the benefits of enrolling in an early education program are: Children attending preschool are more likely to go to college and earn a higher income; less chance of the need for government assistance; likely to have their own house; less likely to have dependence problems later in life.

Staying Healthy and Active

If your child has to sit and learn in a classroom at this age, they are most likely going to hate the process of learning. However, if your child is enrolled in a program that adds adequate outdoor timing to their curriculum, your child will be interested in studies as well as physical activities. It is not only the mind but also the body that needs to be nurtured to develop lifelong health and good habits.

Also Read: The Role of Book Clubs in Promoting Literacy and Love of Reading