Through research and field studies over the years, the following benefits for both child and parent conclude:
For the child:
Social and Emotional Development
In early childhood Education and Development centres, children will learn to strengthen their social and emotional development. Children learn how to compromise, be respectful and problem solve. Early Childhood Educators(ECE) provide an environment for children, to explore, gain a sense of self, play with peers and build self-confidence. Children learn they can accomplish tasks and make decisions without the help of their parents.
School Readiness
Behavior management is a major part of early childhood education learning. Children learn how to be students. Children learn patience, how to raise their hands and take turns. Children learn how to share the teacher’s attention. Children also learn about routine, following directions and waiting. Quality ECE’s help children find answers through exploration, experimentation, conversation and helps children learn to separate from their parent or caregiver in a trusting, caring environment.
Promote Language and Cognitive Skills
Children’s language skills are nurtured in a “language-rich” environment. In the early childhood eduction setting, educators help children strengthen their language skills by introducing new vocabulary during art, snack time, and other activities. Educators engage students with thought-provoking questions to give children many opportunities to learn language through singing, talking about books, creative play and simple observations.
Academics
At our centre pre-math and pre-literacy skills are introduced. Children are taught numbers and letters, but are taught in a way that is appealing to children for this age, through play. Children sing an alphabet song while following along in a picture book or learn rhymes and chants, which help them to notice the distinct sounds within words. Educators read stories to children to encourage their listening, comprehension, and expressive language skills. Matching games, sorting games and counting games build children’s understanding of numbers, and sequences. Putting puzzles together encourages children to notice patterns and to work on problem-solving skills.
*In Canada, spelling, reading and number academics are offically taught from Kindergarten to grade 3. K-3 is the age appropriate timeframe, for the learning of these subjects.*
Children learn best through activities they find interesting, such as songs, storytime, and imaginative play. Early childhood education is not about achieving academic success; it is about creating a well-round child who wants to explore and question their surroundings. In these pre-school years children will gain the confidence in themselves as capable and independent learners.
Self-Confidence
In early childhood education, children learn they can actually do things for themselves. Children will learn to wash their hands, go to the bathroom and take off their shoes without an adult doing it for them. Children may have classroom jobs and take pride in helping out in the classroom. Learning new skills helps builds confidence.
A quality early childhood education provides children with cognitive, behavioral and social skills they cannot learn at home. Teachers find it easier to teach a child who possesses a strong preschool education background in language skills, listening comprehension, attention management skills, and a positive attitude toward learning.
Healthy development in the early years provides the building blocks for educational achievement, economic productivity, responsible citizenship, lifelong health, strong communities, and successful parenting of the next generation.(Developingchild.havard.edu)
