SORRY TO SCARE YOU, BUT...

75% of learners aged 9 years old can’t read for meaning. Of 100 learners

who start school, only 50 to 60 make it to matric, 40 to 50 pass, and only 14 go on to university.

We agree with Madeline Hoban, spokesperson for inHome Montessori, who says that the solution to this crisis lies in early childhood development (ECD). The pandemic has thrown some spanners in the works for parents and teachers who had to get used to online schooling. “The first 1 000 days of a child’s life are crucial in their learning journey, but mandatory education only starts after day 2 000,” Madeline says.

“Early childhood development is the foundation for all future learning. Quality early learning programmes are essential for equipping children with the tools necessary for social, cognitive, physical and emotional development.”

Yet, ECD is sadly often neglected.

If you feel overwhelmed as a parent and don’t know where to start, to make sure your little one doesn’t become part of the sad stats mentioned above, have a look at a home-based Montessori programme. For younger children, these programmes are flexible enough to fit into a family’s existing routine, while ensuring that the early years are maximised and the best possible foundation is laid. And the best bit? Stress for the parent is not part of the process. To learn more about inHome Montessori, visit inhomemontessori.com.