Early Education Guideline

As we evolve with the times, we find that the educational needs of our offspring are much different from our own when we were their age. Many among us never even attended kindergarten and we still managed to pull it off and make something of ourselves. Fast forwarded to this day however, it is almost essential that education and learning take place as early as possible so that by the time a child enters school, his or her mind is ready to explore the more serious stuff! The key here is to find early learning opportunities that will enrich young minds in preparation for the future while still allowing kids to be kids.

The earlier the better

Back then, as important as education was, things were way simpler! These days, technology has made education a more serious affair and most parents will inevitably find that they’d rather not have their little ones be left out of the tidal wave of relevant knowledge needed to thrive and succeed in life. Childhood education brings to mind kindergartens and preschools but there is actually a host of child enrichment programs which covers a variety of fields that can benefit your child.

Childhood is indeed a spectacular time of learning, playing and growing. Children learn the fastest and easiest between the ages of birth and five years old, give or take. If there ever was a time to teach a child practically anything at all, it’s within this said time frame. Early education advocates and experts have long agreed though, that it’s ultimately in the hands of parents to either take on the duty of teaching their kids at home or send them to early education centers. Either way, a pro-active approach towards enriching the growing mind of their young child is essential to make full use of this special time frame of easy learning and catching up.

Busy parents

It is often said that as a parent, you are your child’s first teacher and you really are! However, not every parent has the luxury of time on their side. Parents are also working harder and longer hours so they may not have as much time to spend with their children as they would like.

Here’s where playschools or enrichment centers can help.

Playschools and enrichment centers

Covering a plethora of subjects and skills, modern playschools and enrichment centers are well structured and specially designed by professional educators to help promote basic skills as well as higher-level thinking for your child. In general, these establishments have one main focus, and that is to improve your child’s ability to learn within their fun and interactive classes.

These early childhood education classes can be divided into two main categories; academic and extracurricular.

Academic Type Classes

Mathematics

Just because one does not fancy math a whole lot, does not mean their offspring should loathe it too! Being a math whizz in these modern times can be a real boon in this high-tech world we’re living in, so if you find a math class that your little one enjoys, count your blessing! In general, math classes for young children are structured in such a way to help them approach this subject in a fun and exciting way.

Science

These classes aim to promote curiosity in your children by letting them explore a variety of fields of science. In these exciting classes, little ones will get to carry out hands-on ‘experiments’ and then make predictions, and discover their own conclusions too!

Reading and Writing

It is most essential that kids be proficient in their ability to read and write, for sooner or later, they will have to read and write to learn! Good foundations in these areas are crucial if they are to keep up with all the learning opportunities that are to come their way! Literacy enrichment classes, for example, help pave the path of further learning by instilling letter recognition, decoding, and grammar skills through educational and entertaining activities.

Extracurricular Type Classes

Music

Children will get a chance to explore different types of music and songs and they will even have the opportunity to make their own music. Who knows, your child might be a musical maestro in the making!

Art

Think artistic rendezvous with crayons, water colours or colour pencils as well as all kinds of crafts projects. Your child will be able to try out various different mediums to create their own masterpieces. This is a great activity for children as it lets them have fun as they explore their individual artistic styles.

Cooking

Cooking is a skill no human should be without, for we all need food! Cooking classes for children are great ways for children to discover more about different types of foods and get acquainted with food preparation methods. They will be taught simple food prep such as mixing, mashing and stirring. Don’t be surprised if your budding chef suddenly yearns to spend more time with you in the kitchen!

Speech

Language and speech affect the way your child interacts with others, and it will continue throughout their life. Children will be taught, in the chosen language of study, how to greet as well as carry on conversations with others as if it were second nature to them.

Dance

Children love to move their bodies, which is why dance classes for children are a hit! In dance classes, little ones learn to keep up with all the different tempos, control their body movements and keep active at the same time. Dancing is also a fun way for children to develop their critical physical, psychological and physiological skills and you can also reap the benefits if you join a parent and child dance class which can help release stress and anxiety.

Choosing the Right Classes

With the abundance of enrichment programs available, it is important that you choose the right one(s) for your child. Not all enrichment programs provide skills that will stay with a child throughout their lives. While these extra activities might be good for your child, you also have to be careful not to overwhelm them with too many as children too, can get stressed. As a guide, look for activities that allow children to use all of their senses and incorporate multiple learning styles.

Enrichment centers and playschool FAQs:

What is the center’s actual schedule like?

Before signing up, take a good look at the program’s schedule of activities. Close inspection may reveal that there’s far more downtime and unstructured free time than there is quality enrichment. There’s nothing wrong with indulging your son or daughter in one of these programs. Just know that there may be little or no lasting value for the child or the parents in this investment.

What kind of training and expertise do the staff possess?

Make a point to learn about the background of the staff who will be teaching your child. Are they qualified teachers themselves or experts in a particular field? Also, inquire about the training they receive.

Not all children are alike

Your child’s personality and traits should always be taken into consideration. While it is advisable for parents to try something new for their little one, when an activity doesn’t seem to work for the child and he or she feels uncomfortable, parents should not hesitate to look for something else instead of forcing the little one to like it.