Children start to learn from the moment they open their eyes in this world. They begin to observe their surroundings and give appropriate responses. Afterward, they start mimicking their parents when they are almost one year old. Not only parents but everyone they interact with has a significant impact on their actions and learning.
The cognitive development of children is an ongoing process. We often wonder why children pick up almost every little habit with alarming speed. The younger the child, the faster the process.
Experts believe that early childhood education might be the key to faster cognitive development and a better academic foundation in children.
Early Childhood Education
Early Childhood Education (ECE) aims to educate children up to 8 years old. It focuses on teaching through games and puzzles that keep the children engaged and help them learn simultaneously. A competent curriculum strategy can unlock the true potential of the children.
Early childhood education builds a solid foundation in children that helps them grasp the new concepts with considerable ease. Although it imposes an extra expense upon the parents, the advantages are long-term, and the effects are long-lasting.
- Careers in ECE
If you are interested in a career in ECE, the possibilities are endless. You can be a pre-school and kindergarten teacher. You can assist the teachers in the classroom and interact with the children. If you don’t wish to teach, you can work at a daycare center.
To work in ECE, a master’s degree in early childhood education is a prerequisite. With the increase in demand for ECE, you can earn your degree online and start working in the field right away.
Why Does it Matter?
Some people are still skeptical, but research shows significant academic differences in children who receive early childhood education versus those who go directly to the school. Here is a list of reasons why early childhood education matters.
- Enhanced Brain Development
Medical science says that 90% of brain growth is completed before kindergarten. Activities that involve analytical and logical reasoning can help children develop problem-solving skills.
Studies show that children who show a higher IQ in their later years received early childhood education until they were eight years old. They were also shown to be proficient in mathematics and linguistics from an early age. If teachers and parents provide quality stimulation to children during this time, it can positively impact their brain development.
- Fewer Chances of Learning Delays
Some children have difficulty grasping new and complex concepts when they start school. They have a hard time understanding lessons and keeping up with their peers. This is known as a learning delay.
Although there is no academic disadvantage of learning delay in the early years of education, it can make the children feel a lack of confidence in front of their peers. This emotional disadvantage can have bigger repercussions if left unattended.
Early childhood education programs decrease the instances of learning delays. These programs build a solid mental foundation for the children, training their minds to grasp concepts and apply them to their daily lives.
- Enthusiasm for Education
Children often lose interest in education as they grow older. This is because they find more stimulating activities outside of school. This can have a serious effect on their future.
Children need constant stimulation and novelty to concentrate. Early childhood education instills the belief in the children’s minds that education can be fun and stimulating. This is due to all the exciting activities that are a part of early childhood education programs. These programs can ignite the passion and enthusiasm for education in children that stay with them their entire lives.
- Foundation for a Successful Future
Children can get bored of school easily. The number of children who drop out of school is astonishing and worrisome. Many of them are unable to cope with the increasing stress of school and decide to look for fun activities elsewhere.
Consistency and resilience are the two qualities the children need to get through school. The foundation built by early childhood education programs can help the children in this regard. This allows them to get good grades in school and seek further education in the career of their choice in the future.
According to a study, children with ECE are more likely to attend college. They are also more likely to hold good jobs.
- Learn Socializing
Academic excellence is not the only purpose of early childhood education. Socializing is also a big part of this. The concept of socialization instilled at a young age helps them at various stages throughout their lives.
Human beings are social animals. Children need to learn how to socialize with people other than their families. Early childhood education can help them make friends and engage in various learning activities together. This can be especially helpful for children who are shy by nature.
- Ingrain the Concept of Diversity
We live in a modern world where we need to better understand and accept diversity. To keep up with the world, we need to teach our children to respect and appreciate everyone who might be different than us in any way.
Early childhood education programs take special initiatives to influence the young minds in this area. Children are taught equality and acceptance at a young age so it stays with them for the rest of their lives.
- Work in a Team
Teamwork is an important aspect of our lives. From education to professional lives, the spirit of teamwork will always make our lives easy and our careers flourish.
Not everyone is a team player. We learn that as we grow older. It requires a lot of patience, trust, and competence to work in a team. All these skills are taught in early childhood education programs to make better team players for the future.
- Better Overall Health
Better health equates to a better life. Early childhood education strongly emphasizes children’s health, both physical and mental.
Studies show that children who received early childhood education had lower instances of hypertension in their futures. This is because the children are taught to eat healthily and exercise while keeping up with their academic and social activities.
A better mental foundation for children makes for fewer psychological anomalies in adolescence. This accounts for better mental health than those children who did not receive ECE.
Conclusion
Lack of proper education can account for lesser opportunities for success in the future. Early childhood education allows the children to step into their academic world fully equipped and ready. Starting your child’s education early can actually benefit them more and lay the groundwork for their success.