The Role of Early Childhood Education in Child Development
What are your most vivid childhood memories? Do you remember learning your ABCs or how to identify colors? People frequently believe that real learning begins when children enter elementary school; however, children learn a lot between the time they are born and when they start kindergarten.
What exactly is Early Childhood Education?
Simply put, early childhood education is the formal term for teaching young children. More specifically, it refers to both formal and informal educational programs that guide children’s growth and development from birth to age five. Children at this age are completely reliant on their adult caregivers, which include parents, daycare providers, babysitters, extended family members, and teachers.
Early childhood education (ECE) includes a wide range of activities designed to help children’s cognitive and social development before they enter kindergarten. Some programs prioritize school and academic readiness, whereas others take a “whole child” approach that emphasizes mental and emotional preparedness.
One challenge for ECE educators is that their work is frequently dismissed or undervalued as “simply playtime.” This could not be further from the truth, this misconception about what ECE teachers do is extremely common. Stakeholders, such as parents, community members, and even other educators, frequently believe that what happens in preschool is irrelevant because learning begins when they enter kindergarten.
Young children’s minds are extremely impressionable and elastic, constantly absorbing information from their surroundings and learning from interactions and experiences. They are born to learn and have the ability to perceive, imitate, experiment, and explore. This is one of the reasons that early childhood education is so important.
What exactly is the purpose of early childhood education?
The goal of early childhood education is to teach children strategies for developing the emotional, social, and cognitive skills required to become lifelong learners. The Zero to Three Foundation believes the following skills are the most important for young learners to master:
- Language and literacy: Language is the foundation for the development of literacy abilities. Learning to communicate using gestures, sounds, and words fosters a child’s interest in — and later comprehension of — books and reading.
- Thinking: Children are born with the desire to understand how things work. In their daily lives, they use and develop math concepts such as counting and sorting, as well as problem-solving skills that will be useful in school.
- Self-control: It is the ability to express and manage emotions appropriately, which is necessary for academic success and overall healthy development. It helps children cooperate with others, deal with frustration, and resolve conflicts.
- Self-confidence: When children feel competent and believe in themselves, they are more willing to face new challenges. Self-confidence is also essential for dealing with social challenges such as sharing, competing, and making friends.
Some adults still find it difficult to believe that all of this early learning can take place without homework or tests. There are always parents who do not understand that children learn best when they have the opportunity to do so in a pleasant environment.
Why is early education important?
A newborn baby’s brain is approximately one-quarter the size of an adult brain. Amazingly, it will have doubled in size by the child’s first birthday and completed 90% of its growth by the age of five. During early childhood, the brain creates millions of synapses every second.
These neural connections enable us to move, think, communicate, and understand the world around us. To say this is a critical period of development is an understatement.
A large body of research indicates that a high-quality early childhood education program can have a positive long-term impact on children’s lives.
According to the National Education Association (NEA), research indicates that children who receive a high-quality education before the age of five benefit significantly in the medium and long term. Children in early childhood education programs include:
- Less inclined to repeat a grade.
- Less likely to be classified as having special needs.
- Better prepared academically for later grades
- More likely to graduate from high school.
- More likely to earn higher wages in the workforce.
We have a wealth of scientific data on brain development at this age, but there is a significant gap between determining what young brains require to thrive and implementing policies or funding programs based on that knowledge.
We honestly wish that more people understood that children affect everyone, not just their parents. We forget that children grow up to be leaders and decision makers. Every child, regardless of race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status, deserves a high-quality education.
FAQs
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What is the significance of early childhood education?
The significance of early childhood education cannot be overstated. It lays the foundation for a child’s lifelong learning journey by nurturing their cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development during their formative years.
Research consistently shows that high-quality preschool education can lead to better academic outcomes, improved social skills, and increased chances of success later in life.
By providing a stimulating and supportive environment, preschool education sets children on the path to becoming curious, confident, and capable learners.
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What is early childhood education brief?
Early childhood education, in brief, refers to the educational programs and experiences designed for children from birth to around the age of eight.
These crucial years represent a period of rapid brain development and growth, making it an opportune time to introduce children to structured learning activities and experiences.
Preschool education, specifically, focuses on preparing young children for formal schooling by fostering their cognitive abilities, language skills, social interactions, and emotional regulation.
Through play-based learning, hands-on activities, and age-appropriate curriculum, early childhood education cultivates a love for learning while addressing the unique needs and interests of each child.
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What is the scope of early childhood education?
The scope of early childhood education encompasses a wide range of settings, programs, and services tailored to meet the diverse needs of young children and their families. From traditional preschools and childcare centers to home-based care and community-based programs, early childhood education extends across various contexts and environments.
Its scope includes not only academic preparation but also holistic development, including health, nutrition, and family support services. Moreover, the scope of early childhood education extends beyond formal schooling to encompass advocacy, policy development, and research aimed at promoting the well-being and optimal development of young children.
By recognizing the importance of preschool education within this broader framework, stakeholders can work together to ensure that all children have access to high-quality early learning experiences that lay the groundwork for future success.
- Published in Best Play School
10 Engaging Preschool Activities to Keep Your Little Ones Busy at Home
Hey there! Need some engaging and educational ways to keep your little ones entertained and learning at home? Well, we’ve got you covered! Let’s check out some awesome DIY preschool activities you can make right at home.
Preschool activities are super important for kids’ growth. They help with thinking, moving, and making friends, which are all crucial for learning later on. Plus, they’re not just fun – they also make your kid more creative, better at fixing problems, and more sure of themselves.
DIY Preschool Activities to try at Home
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Pattern and Shape Recognition
What you need: Some colored paper, scissors, and templates for shapes.
What to do: Make patterns using those colored shapes or things. Then, ask your child to keep the pattern going or make up their own. It’s crafty and cool!
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Alphabet Scavenger Hunt
What you need: Alphabet cards or printed letters.
What to do: Hide those alphabet cards or letters all over your house and let your kiddo hunt for them. And when they find one, talk about words that begin with that letter. Easy-peasy, right?
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Color Recognition and Sorting
What you need: Some colored paper, crayons, and toys in different colors.
What to do: Help your kiddo learn their colors by sorting them out. Make colorful cards or use toys with different hues. Then, get them to match up the items or drawings with the right colors.
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Counting with things Around the House
What you need: Just regular things like buttons, coins, or toys.
What to do: Get your child to practice counting using everyday things. Have them count the buttons or toys they have or how many toys are on the table. It’s a neat way to get better at math!
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Fun Sensory Time
What you need: Sensory bins filled with rice, pasta, or beans, and some small toys or objects.
What to do: Let your child explore their senses with sensory play. Fill a bin with one of the above materials and hide some objects for them to find. It’s an awesome activity for nursery class that helps them develop their senses!
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Puzzles and Brain Challenges
What you need: Puzzles and games that match your kid’s age.
What to do: Get your child to work on puzzles and play brain games. It’s one of the best preschool activities that can help your child with critical thinking and cognitive abilities.
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Homemade Storybooks
What you need: Blank paper, markers, and stickers.
What to do: Make a little storybook with your child. They can draw pictures and add stickers to tell their own story. It’s a great pre nursery activities to be creative and share stories together!
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Growing Plants Together
What you need: Small pots, soil, and seeds.
What to do: Gardening is a cool way to learn how to take care of things and be patient. Help your child plant some seeds, give them water, and then watch as the plants start to grow. It’s awesome to see nature in action!
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Cooking and Baking with your Kids
What you need: Easy recipes and kitchen tools safe for kids.
What to do: Get your kiddo involved in cooking or baking with tasks that are just right for their age. It’s a hands-on way to learn about measuring, following directions, and being patient. Let’s whip up something delicious together!
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Block Building
What you need: Building blocks or LEGO sets.
What to do: Building and stacking with blocks is a great way to improve your fine motor skills and learn about how things fit together. Let your kiddo get creative and make all kinds of cool structures. They can even tell stories about what they build. It’s time to build and have fun!
Playing nursery activities with your kids at home keeps them occupied and promotes their growth in a number of ways. There are tons of fun and educational preschool activities available, ranging from developing creativity with handmade storybooks to improving cognitive skills with puzzles and brain challenges.
So gather some building blocks, go on alphabet-themed treasure hunts, or have a group look inside sensory bins. With these do-it-yourself projects, you can turn every moment into an opportunity for your child to learn and bond over enduring memories.
- Published in Top Play School
Why Little Scholar is the Top Playschool in Noida
Best Play School
Are you worried about your child’s right growth and development and looking for best playschool? Then you are at the right place! Located in the heart of Noida, The Little Scholar Playschool has the most beautiful state of the art. It has a lush green campus with stunning surroundings. It has an outstanding infrastructure with a two-storied building and well-designed classrooms for kids.
Taking care of your child’s safety is our priority, and hence we have CCTV surveillance in our campus from the last 19 years. Spread in 1200 square meter campus, The Little Scholar School is one of the oldest and largest playschools and daycare in Noida. We have child-friendly furniture, hygienic washroom and colourfully painted classrooms for kids in our playschool. Smart classes are a part of the curriculum to prepare your child for future advancements. Fun-filled activities are performed in our daycare school in Noida for student’s better learning and development.
The primary and significant facilities provided at our playschool and daycare in Noida are:
- Infrastructure
The Little Scholar School is amongst one of the Top 10 playschools in Noida with the most significant and oldest lush green play campus and daycare. It has attractive and air-conditioned classrooms under CCTV surveillance.
- Meals
The Little Scholar’s Organic kitchen garden provides meals in Playschool and Daycare in Noida. These nutritious meals are cooked in a hygienic environment and served hot.
- Sports
Age-appropriate play areas are provided to toddlers. Indoor and outdoor games are conducted for student’s right physical and mental development.
- Music
We make sure that your little one learns group work and coordination. By exposing children to music from an early age, we help them in learning the use of words and memorization
- Pool
Activities like splash pool help kids for better interaction with each other. Water fun also provides a healthy physical life.
- Soft skills and grooming classes
With the changing times, we prepare our students for a better and advanced future through our smart classes which include communication, stage exposure and confidence building.
- Summer camps
Every year we organize summer camps to make studies and learning more entertaining and fun-filled.
- Festival celebrations
Celebrating various festivals is an excellent source of introducing our young ones with devised Indian culture. Multi-religious festival rituals teach our kids secularism and equality.
- Art and dance
Our most exceptional dance classes groom your kid’s personality to the core. We love to see your little ones dancing and moving on their favourite numbers.
- Creative teaching and counselling
We provide various creative ways to teach our kids. Our new admission counselling facility is one of the vitals.
- Transportation
We provide completely safe and comfortable transport services to our students and make sure that the school end handles all the functions.
Few other activities that are conducted for your toddler’s learning and development are :
To get the best of everything, The Little Scholar School is the right place. We even have a Daycare centre in Noida to provide your kid with the best early care.
- Published in Top Play School
Noida’s Best Play School
Education is the key to unlock the Golden door of success.’
The Little scholar school is the oldest and largest play school in Noida. With a remarkable experience of 30 years. The Little Scholar School is a trusted name in embracing young minds. If you are looking forward to the best upbringing of your child, then The Little Scholar School is the right option for you.
We aim to bring a good beginning that lasts a lifetime in children life. Our vision is to lay the foundation of a happy, responsible, caring and patriotic future citizens of India, who will further touch the lives of people in multiples. We understand that the early years of childhood are significant, and hence, we ensure and feel responsible for providing the best early care and education to the young ones.
We enjoy an excellent reputation amongst the list of top 10 playschools in Noida and Delhi NCR. Our innovative curriculum is learner-centric. It designed for the overall growth and development of your child. Various challenging activities are designed to teach the right life skills like confidence, leadership and courage to boost the personality of your child to the core. Our curriculum is need-based and focuses on both the theoretical and practical aspects. The changes that we bring to your child’s life will change their way to live life.
We bring one of the most liberal and facilitating surroundings for the young children at one of the best preschools and daycare in Noida, i.e. The Little Scholar School. The activities we design are prepared, keeping in mind the heterogeneity and diversity of children. We help the little ones to fulfil their learning goals with all the love and grace. An entire different curriculum and attention provided to kids from different age groups. Some of the programmes that we cover are:
· Scholar’s Tiny Steps (1 Year To 1.5 Years)
Best place to be for your little one
· Scholar’s Toddlers (1.5 Years To 2 Years)
Happy feet running
· Scholar’s Play Groups (2 Years To 2.5 Years)
Learning by playing
· Scholar’s Pre-Nursery (2.5 Years To 3 Years)
Play is the real work of a child
· Scholar’s Nursery (3 Years To 4 Years)
The right approach to achieve early learning goals
· Scholar’s Kindergarten (4 Years To 5 Years)
Quality education for lifelong lessons
Training educators by covering both theoretical and practical aspects
Our daycare provides a learning environment for your kid’s emotional, physical and social development. Being one of the top 10 playschools and daycare in Noida, we have been serving the kids with the needed daycare facilities and various learning opportunities since 1989. We help your little kid learn and at the same time, make new friends. We nurture your child with lots of tender care and love.
WHY THE LITTLE SCHOLAR SCHOOL FOR YOUR KID:
- It is the oldest and largest play school in Noida.
- It is the first school to introduce Multimedia education in preschool in Noida, 20 years back.
- It started, owned and managed by dedicated, highly qualified & experienced educationists & professionals.
- It is the First Preschool using CCTV surveillance system for 19 years.
- It has more than 30 years of experience in running and managing of preschool.
- It has a learner-centric and need-based approach.
- It is the First solar-powered school in India
- It has second-generation kids too coming to the school.
It has an infrastructure with the most significant space, smart classes, daycare, transport facilities and much more.
- Published in Best Play School