Enrolling one’s child in an enrichment center or playschool even before they begin walking or talking has been a trend amongst the younger generation of parents today. Are these classes really beneficial for their little ones’ futures or are parents merely doing what others are doing to not feel left out? Read on to decide if you’re going down the right track and also, how to choose the best pre-school when the time comes.

The effects of positive stimuli

Babies and toddlers are super-fast learners and they absorb information much faster compared to older children. They are gaining new skills every day and learn about the world and themselves through social interaction and various external stimuli.

It’s during these tender early years when children experience continual learning curves that form important life foundations. This period is when their skills and knowledge begin to flourish and their behavioral patterns as well. This is why parents need to take extra special care to provide as much positive stimuli as possible to help stand them in good stead for further development during the years to come.However, the question that begs to be answered here is: Does a child need to be sent to a special class to be exposed to all these positive stimuli and learning advantages?

It’s in your hands

Older generations of parents and many younger ones too are not wrong when they say that everything a child learns in an early learning center can be taught at home. Parents of babies and toddlers can indeed provide enriching activities at home without sending the child to specialized centers. Activities such as going shopping, visiting the zoo, singing and dancing, reading to the child, and having friends’ children come over for playdates can all provide opportunities to develop a child’s language and skills. However, most of these tasks are not as simple to carry out regularly, especially when both parents are working. This is why we say it’s in your hands. Surely it would not be in the child’s best interest to be staying at home with the live-in maid or be left at the baby-sitter only to end up watching television all day?

Choose your center well

Firstly, parents should adopt the attitude of wanting what’s best for their little ones and not just get sucked into a rat race of doing what others are doing. Having said that, if you are totally in tune with your child’s developmental needs, you may feel the need to enroll him into a good playschool or learning center regardless if you’re a working parent or not.

A bit of research on the mushrooming number of centers will help you make an informed decision on which center is best suited to your child’s needs, if your child needs it at all. Research indicates that early formal or informal learning exposure has immense value in a child’s development during the crucial window period where young children are most curious, teachable and impressionable. Still, it will seem like enrolling little ones in playschools and early learning centers may steal some precious time from quality parenting during the delicate formative years. Very good centers understand this, and hence ensure some form of beneficial teacher-child bonding via loving and trained teachers and care-givers. Learning must also be delivered in a fun manner to ensure interest, attention and full grasp of the learning concepts. So, do your research before deciding on the ideal center for your precious child to spend time in.

What will a child gain?

In terms of benefits, all good baby and toddler schools can prove invaluable, considering that you’re taking full advantage of your child’s early formative years. The following are what could be in store for a child who attends one.

Social interaction

One important way in which babies and toddlers can learn is through social interaction with other young children their age, as well as with older children and of course, with adults. This sort of interaction is crucial for babies and toddlers, even more so if they do not have siblings. Children attending good learning or enrichment centers will ultimately be exposed to lessons on sharing, manners, cooperation, empathy and selflessness. These virtues are all the main cornerstones to becoming a well-loved adult.

Language development (in an enrichment center)

Language development is another common benefit and motivation for parents to send their children to enrichment classes. Parents may wish for their child to be proficient in another language other than their mother tongue which is spoken at home. Or… parents could also want their offspring to be fluent in the languages of their forefathers in a predominantly English speaking family, for instance. Either way, any language can be a breeze for a child to learn, especially if taught before the age of six in a specialized environment.

Keeping abreast with developmental progress

Early learning centers tend to monitor and follow a child’s progress and development during his formative years. During this crucial period, any disabilities, challenges or deficits that may arise can be identified before it’s too late and addressed accordingly. If left unattended during these formative years, they may very likely hamper the child’s progress and abilities in school and later life.

Should a child be enrolled at such a tender age?

That is entirely your call. Every child is different and nothing is definite. Children are all born with different personalities, temperaments and abilities. Some children cope well with being separated from their parents at an early age while others may not. Such children may experience separation anxiety and become clingy and irritable. One solution is to enroll your child in classes where parental participation is involved. Alternatively, a secondary caregiver whom the child is comfortable with may be a suitable substitute. Most importantly, ensure that your child is in the best of hands by choosing enrichment classes where the staff is patient, nurturing and engaging.

Choosing a good pre-school

There’ll come a time when you will have to decide on a pre-school for your child. Pre-school education is a programme that exposes children aged 4+ to 6+ to the learning experience within a year or more before entering year one. This is where your child will spend a lot of time prepping up for primary school. Any shortcomings in your choice of pre-school could reap grave consequences for your child. For example, if your child does not like his or her pre-school at all, it could mean a difficult transition into school later on. While you would certainly want it to be a safe place with quality education, you’ll also have to make sure that it’s a fun enough place where your child can play and learn, with staff that are attentive and caring.

Questions to ask yourself before deciding on a preschool:

What is the overall environment of the school like, indoors and out?

Trust your instinct on this one. If you do not get a good vibe about the place, or if any one area of the school makes you feel uncomfortable, move on to your next option. The last thing you want is to worry about the dirty bathroom in the school or the dangerous looking swing set you saw in the school yard.

What is the ratio of staff members to students?

Needless to say, the more staff there is, the better the care to be given to each child, including yours. Too much work as in the case for understaffed establishments might result in some tired, unhappy staff who might take it out on their charges. So, do make this a criteria too when choosing a preschool for your child.

Are the staff professionally trained in early childhood education?

If you are going to be spending good money for your child’s education, it’s natural you would want his or her teacher to be well-trained for the job. Ask about the qualifications of all the teachers in the school you are considering.

How far is the pre-school from your home?

This is a very important criteria indeed, for you do not wish to be spending lots of time travelling to and fro for your child’s daily schooling. Furthermore, it will give you some peace of mind to know that in case of an emergency, you will make it to the school as quickly as possible.

What is the staff turnover rate?

A high turnover rate can be an indication of dissatisfied staff, which should prompt questions about the working environment, treatment of staff and the attitude of the establishment, which you might want to consider before enrolling your child in the school.

How will you be involved in your child’s schooling?

What are the restrictions if any, in terms of parent’s involvement? You will want to know what’s going on in your child’s daily life and may want to pop by for a look now and then. Find out their policy in parent involvement and what you are allowed and not allowed to do.

Preschool Education Objectives as outlined by The Ministry Of Education

• Having positive personal traits, character and self-concept to be a patriotic citizen
• Using Malay correctly and developing language and communication skills
• Using English in daily life in line with its status as the second language
• Practicing noble values in daily life based on religious teachings
• Having cognitive skills to think and solve problems
• Having emotional maturity and social skills
• Having the creativity and aesthetics to appreciate natural beauty and cultural heritage
• Using Chinese and Tamil correctly to communicate in school where the medium of instruction is Chinese and Tamil
• Practicing Islamic values in the daily life of Muslim students.