It's no secret that our lives are becoming increasingly busy, and it can be difficult to find the time to do everything we need to. This can be especially true when it comes to our children's education. It's a question that few parents ask, but the transition period between being a toddler and attending preschool isn't always easy. It can be an intimidating process for a child and one that can place a high level of stress on their emotions.
Preparing your child for early education doesn't require intensive knowledge of child psychology. Sometimes, it can be as simple as explaining what they can expect from the experience in a calm and realistic way. As any child development specialist will tell you, independence is one of the most fundamental characteristics for a preschooler. They're at an uncomfortable age; where they both want and need to assert themselves, but they still need a strong sense of guidance and caring.
Preschool education provides them with the opportunity to experience this sense of self-reliance in a safe and neutral environment, which provides the right balance between structure and encouragement. It's not that your child is stubborn; it's simply that cooperation and manners are not innate to anyone. And the more self-aware and independent they become, the more they will assert themselves as a way of testing limits. Preschool provides them with the necessary structure and guidance from adult figures outside their parents.
It's natural for a child to want to please their parents. Allowing them an environment in which they have the opportunity to please more objective adult figures helps teach them the value and need of cooperation. Unfortunately, more structured environments mean less socialization than in traditional day care centers. And if your child isn't fully acclimated to the process of playing respectfully with other children in an unorganized environment, unexpectedly forcing him to go to preschool can sometimes lead to behavioral problems. Most of the time, these are necessary growing pains that many children do and are not indicative of an emotional disorder.
Be sure to explain to them ahead of time what is considered inappropriate and what isn't. When it comes to behavior, you might find that they're more likely to listen to a parent than to a stranger. Preschool education not only helps your child develop basic social, emotional and literacy skills, but it also plants the seeds for future success. Several well-known studies, such as the Perry Preschool Project and the Carolina Alphabet Project, mapped the long-term trajectory of preschool students to adulthood. They found that not only was there a strong correlation between early childhood education and high school graduation, but that enrollment in preschool programs increased the likelihood of acquiring basic basic competence at age 14 and an IQ of 90 or more at age 5 by 34 percent and 39 percent, respectively. Unfortunately, not all preschools are created the same way.
Keep in mind that the average size of preschools can sometimes be a minimum of 1 teacher for every 8 students. Now consider that preschool teachers are often inexperienced and ill-equipped to handle a child's specific needs, both their weaknesses and their strengths. No matter how well your study and training plans may meet (or even exceed) state preschool education standards, preschool education is no guarantee of your child's academic success. And while it can often spark a child's love for long-term learning, that's not always the case. They need the support of both educators and parents.
They need an environment in which their talents and potential can flourish. And they need the strength and security that will guide them on the path to success.
The Pros & Cons Of Early Childhood Education
When it comes to early childhood education, there are both advantages and disadvantages that parents should consider before enrolling their children in such programs. Leading child psychologists have identified three main advantages: early childhood education helps children develop basic social, emotional and literacy skills; it plants seeds for future success; and it provides children with an opportunity to experience self-reliance in a safe environment. On the other hand, there is one major disadvantage: early childhood education increases risk of disease compared to children who mostly stay at home. Additionally, not all preschools are created equal; some may be ill-equipped or inexperienced when it comes to handling a child's specific needs or weaknesses.Finally, forcing children into such programs without proper acclimation may lead to behavioral problems. The final decision on whether or not to participate in early childhood development lies solely with parents. Today, advances in technology and computers provide early childhood education centers innovative tools for teaching and creating programs, managing multiple franchises and students, and designing fun classroom activities that keep children interested in academics.
