December 22, 2021 7 min read

 

When you hear the word "preschool," what comes to mind? You may have imagined a group of cheerful young children singing songs and finger painting together in the past. However, in recent years, the term has come to be associated with kindergarten preparation. As a result, many parents believe that preschool should be more academically oriented, with desks, lesson plans, and rote memorization.

It's true that preschool's academic value has grown since its inception. From the very beginning of kindergarten, preschools teach skills and concepts that are critical to a child's potential to succeed. Preschool, on the other hand, is about more than simply academics. Preschool education is significant because of its impact on a child's whole development.

Parents who are debating whether or not to enroll their children in a preschool program should do so. Early childhood development programs are not a cost, but rather an investment in your child's future. There are a variety of high-quality, low-cost childcare choices available that could be a good fit for your family.

Continue reading to find out everything you need to know about the value of early childhood education.

 

What Is the Importance of Early Childhood Education?

 

What is the significance of early childhood education? Take a look at what we discovered in favor of our country's young minds having a bright future!

 

1) Socialization

 preschool kids running around outside playing with ball

Credit: Kids and Company

 

Humans are highly sociable creatures, and the basic concept of socialization begins in childhood. Children meet other children their age in a safe atmosphere apart from their families, laying the seeds of 'socialization' and 'friendship' in young brains. This helps your children build self-confidence by reducing their timidity.

 

2) Fosters a Passion for Learning 

One of the most important advantages of early childhood education is that it fosters a passion for learning that lasts far into preschool.

Children's learning is given to them as entertaining games and activities in preschool. An early childhood education program provides a chance to learn a lot about the world in which they live. There's also fun music, art, and toys that they don't have at home.

These early encounters spark children's interest in learning more. They instill in students a desire to learn for the rest of their lives.

 

3) Development as a Whole (Holistic Development)

 3 preschool kids sitting at table playing

Credit: Raising Children Network

 

It is critical for human beings to have a firm foundation in all aspects of their personality, including emotional, social, intellectual, and physical. Teachers who work with young children are well-versed in identifying a child's weak points and encouraging them to develop through practical sessions. In this scenario, peer interaction is incredibly crucial.

 

4) Patience

Patience is frequently challenged in adult life, and children should be taught how to deal with such situations in the future. Children will develop patience through experiences such as sharing the teacher's attention, waiting for their turn, and so on through early childhood education programs. Early childhood education provides a strong foundation in building patience.

 

5) Teamwork

 teacher and preschool kids doing puzzle together teamwork

Credit: Brookridge Day School

 

Respect for others' perspectives, listening skills, and a philosophy of equality are all factors in a person's ability to operate in a team. All of these attributes should be instilled in children at an early age. Many preschool activities emphasize teamwork and help children develop a positive attitude about working together.

 

6) Keeping Fit and Healthy

Everyone knows that kids don't like to sit still for long periods of time. There has been a trend in recent years to establish curriculums that emphasize movement-based learning.

When students attend a school that stresses physical activity, they have the opportunity to learn while still staying active. Your children will have access to structured outdoor time during which they will be able to play on the playground, runabout, and discover nature.

The key thing is that your child gets up and moves, whether it's through sports or playing tag with other kids. It's crucial to start being active at a young age if you want to develop healthy habits that will last a lifetime.

It is critical to nurture a child's intellect and body from an early age in order to ensure long-term health.

 

7) Creativity 

 preschool girl painting her hand with colored paints

Credit: Raising Children Network

 

One of the best aspects of early childhood education programs is that they allow children to be creative. Let's face it: most parents aren't pleased about getting out the splattered paints and other painting tools.

Art projects are an important part of early childhood education. Children can learn about the fall season by painting leaves, or they can learn about Thanksgiving by making traditional hand turkeys. Painting, arts and crafts, and getting messy are all activities that children like.

Exposure to music is another important aspect of preschool programming. At a young age, children are taught to sing, play instruments, and learn about sound. Music is important in the same way that reading and writing are.

Making music, clapping, dancing, and other enjoyable activities can aid in the development of fine motor abilities in children. Brain and bodily coordination can be improved by singing songs.

 

8) Resilience

Our society is constantly changing, so it's critical to start developing resilience as soon as possible. Early childhood education gives challenging scenarios that allow children to learn via their own experiences. The bruises and bumps they've received as a result of their trials are laying the groundwork for greater coping skills for future challenges.

 

9) Diversity Exposure

 4 preschool kids hugging in a train happy

Credit: Bright Horizons

 

It's only natural that children attend early childhood education programs since they are exposed to a greater variety of experiences throughout their life. At school, children will have the opportunity to interact with pupils who are not like them. It is helpful to the child to have more diversity in ethnicity, class, socioeconomic level, and religion.

The importance of experiencing diversity cannot be overstated, and it will play an important role in the world's future.

 

10) Health Advantages

Early childhood education impacts children in both the short and long term. Health treatments, which are frequently included as part of the early education package, provide short-term advantages. Preschoolers who attend child care programs are more likely to receive regular physical examinations and nutritional meals.

Higher-income and fewer risks of dangerous behavior (drug use, early pregnancies, etc.) result in less stress and easier access to high-quality healthcare services in the long run.

 

11) Improves Concentration 

 preschool girl building blocks focusing concentration

Credit: Scholastic 

 

Children's attention spans are short. Their drive to learn new things makes it difficult for them to focus on one item for an extended period of time. Early childhood education programs allow them to explore new locations and connections while also improving their focus. and this forces them to pay attention. Early childhood education has a profound impact on this.

By the time they enter kindergarten, children have mastered the skills of listening, participating in group activities, following directions, and focusing on individual projects.

 

12) Economic Benefits

We've seen how early childhood education can benefit children in the long run by assisting them in learning to read earlier, staying in school, and staying out of problems with the police. They are more likely to have been educated, employed, and trained in a specialized occupation as adults. Individual circumstances can have a significant impact on your local economy, as well as the national economy. Early childhood education is crucial not only for families but also for the employment and economic health of our country.

 

 Positives of Early Childhood Education

 

When My Child Starts, What Age Should He / She Be?

The majority of preschools cater to 3-, 4-, and 5-year-olds, with many children starting at the age of four. (While some preschools accept children as young as 2 1/2 years old, this does not guarantee that your child will be ready when he reaches that age.) 

Parents usually begin looking at options around a year before their children are scheduled to go. 

 

What Factors Should I Consider While Choosing a Preschool for My Child?

To begin, choose a location (near work or at home) and hours (half-day, two or three days a week, full-time). Private schools, daycare centers, state-funded schools, and parent-run cooperatives all have programs. Begin by seeking suggestions from other mothers. Next, see if the schools are state-licensed, which assures that the facility complies with safety regulations and has sufficient staffing. 

Inquire about the fees, entrance policy, and curriculum at each institution you're considering. Schedule appointments once you've narrowed down your options. During the winter, most preschools host open houses. Meeting with the director and spending time in a classroom observing the teachers are also recommended. Take your child to each school and see how she reacts to the classroom and teachers.

 

Summary

Lack of sufficient early education may result in missed opportunities in school and beyond as the child's brain develops. According to studies, children who have access to early childhood education achieve more in life than those who do not. They also demonstrate higher IQ scores and have more career options.

What are the benefits of early childhood education? Early childhood education has a favorable impact on society as a whole, in addition to individual benefits.

During the early years of a child's life, critical brain development takes place. Early childhood education provides a solid and broad foundation in this. This will ensure future success for your child and they will turn out to be more responsible future citizens.

When your child starts preschool, he will have separation anxiety and will miss you more than normal. We present Plato Kids lunch notes. Plato Kids creates personalized notes for your children to let them know you're thinking of them. Our cards also feature entertaining, interesting, and informative facts that will persuade your little one to open his lunch box. When your child reads these notes during their break time, they will feel loved and valued, and it will bring a smile to their faces.

 

Shmuel Apel
Shmuel Apel



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