At birth, a child’s brain is about a quarter of the size of its adult counterpart. It doubles in size in only a year. By age five, it grows up to 90%.
Children have almost the size of a grown adult before they even hit kindergarten. Are you maximizing this time to help them succeed later in life?
Smart parents enroll their children in an early childhood education program. Kids joining in it develop a healthy and solid foundation, but how can it help?
Let’s break down the importance of early childhood education. Keep on reading to see how it can benefit a child’s development.
Better Academic Performance
Early childhood education provides a stable foundation for children’s academic performance. It teaches essential subjects earlier. At the same time, children also learn the premise of the entire education industry.
Several studies prove the benefits of early childhood education using various methods. In general, they found children participating in ECE programs have higher graduation rates. They also have a better chance to get ahead later in life.
The best part is these children are more against any criminal involvement when they get older.
Boost in Vocabulary
Do you know about the 30 million word gap by age 3? The study describes a world’s difference in the vocabularies of three-year-olds from wealthy families and those from poorer families.
The former know 30 million more words. Is it a matter of money?
Children pick up more than what they let on. The reason for the vocabulary gap is wealthy parents often speak more words around their kids.
Those who came from poorer families may have fewer adults around them. As such, their vocabulary doesn’t expand as much as children from wealthier families.
The best education programs allow children to regain equal footing. They can learn more with the help of their peers and teachers.
Better Attention Span
It’s natural for children to have short attention spans. Two-year-olds have around 7 minutes, while five-year-olds have about 14 minutes.
The attention span should increase as we grow. In the digital age, however, children and adults are experiencing a noticeable decline.
In households where children have constant access to smartphones and tablets, parents have to work on activities for concentration. Otherwise, they will grow up unable to focus on school and other crucial matters.
Early childhood education programs help with this challenging issue. Instructors use activities to train the children’s attention span. They also teach kids how to differentiate between work and play.
Socialization
Children who participate in early childhood education programs get to mingle with other people in the same generation. As such, centers provide a better environment for learning how to socialize.
In a group setting, children can learn how to listen and communicate. They grasp how to take turns, allow others to express themselves, and wait for the right time to speak.
Socializing with their peers also allows kids to handle their emotions. They learn how to cooperate, which is especially important if they have no siblings at home.
Exposure to Diversity
Without much exposure to diversity, children risk growing up to have one-track minds. They may develop a skewed perception of normality.
By entering your child into an ECE program, they get exposed to more diversity. They meet other people and interact with peers who might be different from them.
They can meet people from different races, socioeconomic classes, religions, genders, and ages. Experiencing this type of diversity from a young age teaches them to respect one another.
Better Health
Preschools and child care programs tend to the health of each child. They provide nutritious meals and encourage a healthy lifestyle.
Many centers have regular health screenings. Children participate in physical activities through play.
Teachers might also have training in spotting health issues and developmental delays. They work with parents to pinpoint problems, leading to an earlier intervention.
Enthusiasm for Learning
Early childhood education recognizes the importance of speaking to the kids in their language. In the right setting, children can gain a lifelong love for learning.
ECE teachers present lessons through fun and exciting activities. Children learn through playing, listening to music, and participating.
Kids also get toys, art materials, and more valuable learning items they may not have at home. Through early exposure, they can develop a passion for knowledge.
They learn healthy study habits they will carry for the rest of their lives. Children have to develop these at a young age or use thestudypro.com.
Improvement in Creativity
As said above, children may have access to more materials in child care programs than at home. They have more opportunities to create and think outside the box.
ECE programs encourage all sorts of activities – even the messy ones. They can do the following and more:
- Paint leaves a different color
- Explore varying textures
- Try using several tools and materials
- Cut various shapes
- Express their emotions through art
Children get to unleash their creativity even if parents might be unwilling to let them make a mess at home. They can feed their curiosity and let their imaginations run wild.
Better Brain and Body Coordination
Of course, music falls under the umbrella of art, as well. A school curriculum usually has a lot of dancing and singing.
These are fun activities to boost creativity, but they have other benefits. For one, dancing helps improve brain and body coordination.
Good body coordination improves one’s posture. It also helps enhance balance, agility, and even sports performance.
Learn More About Early Childhood Education Now
Early childhood education programs help kids explore various interests. At a young age, they get exposure to different subjects, skills, and activities to help them figure out what they want later in life.
That said, you must choose an ECE program that also brings out the best in your child.
Did you find this guide helpful? If so, read our other posts for more valuable tips and tricks today.
