Early-learning decisions
Over the last few months many parents have been trying to decide whether to register their child in an early learning program such as pre-school or kindergarten for the next school year. For many parents this decision is not a difficult one, but for others it can cause great stress in their world.
Sending your child off on their first adventure into the world without you can be a very stressful time for parents. Many will have heard the pros and cons from well-meaning family members or listened to advice from other parents, but the internal conflict can still exist. There is no doubt that parents are the key educators in every child’s life and the time parents spend with their children aid in the child’s development.
To assist parents, early learning programs can enhance, reinforce and expand upon the skills and lessons the parents have imparted on their child. Neurological research shows that the early years play a key role in a child’s brain development. When children are young they are learning sponges; every experience is imprinted on their minds. New words, experiences, friendships, and behaviours all impact the development of the child at this critical stage.
Early-learning programs offer children the chance to socialize with other children, problem solve, build confidence, gain skills in solving conflicts or simply learn more about themselves. Many will highlight the benefits of earlylearning programs in helping prepare children for elementary school and academic learning. While this is true, the advantage extends far beyond the academic piece. It goes into developing the foundational part of learning and developing social skills that future growth will be based upon. For many children, an early learning program will be their first opportunity to be in a structured setting where they will learn how to share, take turns, raise their hands, ask permission or ask questions. Through play, story time and a variety of other activities children will, at their own pace, learn their letters, how to count and find answers to the numerous questions children always have.
As a society, the best investment we can make is to ensure all of our children have the opportunity to learn, grow and become good citizens of our communities. Taking advantage of the skills of parents and well-trained earlylearning educators will set our children off on the right track to success.
If there’s still any doubt, how about this excerpt from Robert Fulghum’s poem “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten.”
“. . . These are the things I learned: Share everything. Play fair. Don't hit people. Put things back where you found them. Clean up your own mess. Don't take things that aren't yours.
Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody.
Wash your hands before you eat. Flush. Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you. Live a balanced life — Learn some and think some And draw and paint and sing and dance
And play and work every day some. Take a nap every afternoon. When you go out into the world, Watch out for traffic, Hold hands and stick together. Be aware of wonder. . .” Dave Driscoll is Superintendent of Palliser Regional Schools