Is early childhood education important?

Posted on: 13 March 2020

There have always been debates about whether early childhood education is important for a child's development. Research shows that it's essential, but still, some overlook it. The first years of a child's life present an opportunity to build a strong foundation for their future. This is a period in which children pick up vital skills such as social interaction, reading and counting. These are skills that are taught in kindergarten.

Why enrol your kids in kindergarten?

While you can homeschool your kids, it doesn't offer the same experience as being in a school with others. Yes, you get to focus on teaching one or two children as opposed to 15 or 20. However, being in a kindergarten offers your child a different learning experience, which comes with the following benefits:

i. Prepares your child for school

Being in school is different from being at home; there are rules, regulations and strict schedules that students must follow. A child who has never been in a school setting before will find it hard to cope with all the rules and regulations. Kindergarten prepares the child for this by teaching the child to follow the rules, pay attention, listen to authority figures, avoid talking in class, etc. It also teaches kids organisation skills and how to communicate with their teachers and other students.

ii. Social interaction

Kids tend to be more open and interactive when they are around their peers. This means that being in a class with other kids who are almost the same age will help your child open up. Your child will learn by watching other kids' behaviour and interaction. Your child will have an easy time making friends and, as a result, may overcome their shy nature.

iii. Language and communication skills

Kindergartens present opportunities for kids to interact with other people outside their usual family circle. While here, they can pick up new languages with ease as they interact with kids from different backgrounds. The interactions also improve their communication skills as they learn to communicate more efficiently.

iv. Improves a child's fitness

As technology advances and communal playgrounds continue to disappear, outdoor play is becoming more of an option as opposed to a necessity. Kids are now more interested in playing with electronics instead of playing outside with their peers. Parents often encourage this by providing every piece of tech the kids request. This is affecting kids almost everywhere in the world. Kids just don't play like they used to. Fortunately, kindergartens include physical activities in their programs to ensure that kids have fun outside their digital world. These physical activities also improve coordination, health and motor skills.

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