Early education offers a powerful window of opportunity to shape children’s holistic development. Research has shown that specialized learning programs have profound and long-lasting impacts on kids.
Studies like the Perry Preschool Project showed that kids whose parents received early education had fewer problems and were more likely to graduate from high school, get good jobs, and avoid incarceration and welfare.
Social Skills
Children need healthy socializing to learn and develop the skills they will use for life. This includes knowing how to express emotions, communicate with others, and empathize with them – all critical aspects of developing healthy relationships. They must also learn about healthy socializing and sharing – generosity, helpfulness, and taking turns.
Early education is a critical window of opportunity for shaping a child’s future trajectory, and research has shown that providing children with access to quality ECE can lead to improved life outcomes. This includes a more remarkable ability to reach their educational potential and to become a part of the global economy.
However, if ECE is designed with this in mind, it can have positive consequences. For example, a study found that 3- and 4-year-olds from low-income families who were given access to free preschool were less likely to have a criminal record or need government assistance when they were middle-aged compared to those who did not have access.
Cognitive Skills
During the early years, cognitive development is the ability to take in information and process it. It allows children to learn from their peers and teachers, think critically, solve problems, and understand abstract concepts.
These are all skills that early education helps develop in children, especially those who need access to a quality educational program. Studies show that children who do not attend nocatee preschool lag behind their peers who attended kindergarten through sixth grade.
Physical Skills
When kids attend preschool, they learn how to interact with others, follow directions, and develop problem-solving skills that will benefit them in future academic settings. Moreover, they develop motor abilities that help them master complex tasks, such as writing and reading.
Studies have shown that children who received early education perform better than those who did not. This includes performing better in math and reading. They also have a lower risk of particular education placement and a higher chance of graduating from high school.
Classes provide opportunities for students to observe young children learning through physical play. Then, they apply what they have learned in the field through hands-on teaching experiences in a real classroom. Combining theory and practice helps students gain confidence in working with young children. Additionally, it gives them a passion for the field.
Language Skills
As babies develop, they need to learn to communicate with adults and other children. This is one of the most critical aspects of early education. They also need to know how to read and write. These skills can be developed through structured activities, such as story time, interactive games, and natural interactions with teachers and other students.
Babies and toddlers can build their literacy skills by playing with books and other written materials like magazines, newspapers, and take-out menus. Using their home language and responding to their cues is another way to foster these skills.
It’s also essential for teachers to work with parents to form valuable relationships with their families. This is why some of the classes include field experience learning components that are connected to an in-class assignment. This is how they can gain the hands-on experience to be successful teachers.