A child’s mind is not only a tabula rasa but is also filled with a lot of curiosity to know and learn more. The importance of early childhood education (ECE) ensures seamless brain development. But, what is early childhood education, and what is the purpose of early childhood education? Well, the education that a child receives early on, paves the way for the learning process. In fact, have you ever wondered when is the time to start preparing the children for the demands and challenges they would come across in the future?
Though a child starts learning and responding to things from the environment that it gets, it’s the kindergarten or playschool where the formal education actually begins. The pre-schooling prepares the young ones for a smooth transition into elementary school. The age for pre-schooling can be anywhere from 2-2.5 years onward. So what is the importance and benefits of early childhood education in child development?
Benefits of early childhood education:
1. It makes a positive impact on the child
A good preschool or playschool can make a positive impact on the child. It can give the child a good head start in life towards a bright future.
2. Socialization
At home, the child lives in a protected environment. When in social gatherings or out of home, the child has the benefit of being under the care of one of the family members. It is only at a playschool where the child can be on its own and learn to socialize without parental discretion. Socialization is the most essential building block to acquiring further social skills and learning.
Most of the families today are nuclear families with a single child. Going to school from an early age provides the child with a safe and controlled environment outside the home to learn to share, co-operate, and persevere.
4. Respecting others
This virtue is learned by the little ones when they play, learn, and participate in their daily activities in school. They not only learn to respect people but the environment, other life in general, their own, and other belongings.
5. Teamwork
Most of the activities in preschool are done in teams. From eating to drawing to games, everything teaches the child to respect others’ opinions, listen and co-operate, and also voice one’s opinion in an amicable way. A child who learns to work in a team from an early age is more attuned socially later in life.
6. Confidence and self-esteem
A very important aspect of a healthy personality, the base for confidence and self-esteem is also set from a very early age. Positive interaction with teachers and peers helps the child to develop a strong sense of well-being. This, in turn, boosts the confidence, self-esteem, and optimism in the child to learn and explore their talents and skills.
7. Patience and resilience
Waiting for one’s turn to go up on the slide, standing in a queue, sharing the teacher’s attention, eating what is served, coping with failure, or rejoicing in victory – learning to do these in a positive environment helps the child to be patient and resilient.
8. Value for education and zest for lifelong learning
While parents remain the biggest influence on a child’s early life, the school plays a crucial role to inculcate the value of education and arousing the interest and zest for learning. The love for reading, exploring, discovering, and learning takes root here.
9. Exposure to diversity
The need of the hour in today’s volatile environment, every child today needs to learn and respect the diversity of the world that we live in. If a child is taught from early on to love and respect that every religion, culture, and belief is unique in its own way, they will truly benefit society as grown-up individuals.
10. Holistic development
It is important to build a strong foundation for the child’s physical, emotional, mental, and social development to prepare them for a lifetime. Facilitating the child to receive education from an early age helps in holistic development.
Starting an early education for your child and choosing a good preschool is the first step toward lifelong learning.
