By Iqbal Kaur
“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I will learn.” – Benjamin Franklin
Childhood has always been regarded as a priceless and wonderful time in one’s life. Children are adored by their families and communities. Informal learning begins in the natural environment with music, dance, play, and discussion. However, at home, this cannot be consistently done. Hence organized early childhood education programs for young children are fast emerging.
Preschool, as the name suggests, is the period before a child enters formal school. The activities are designed to keep children entertained as well as learning at the same time. It meets the needs of children and contributes to their overall development. Preschool is one of the many childcare and education options available to parents with young children before their children enroll in full-time school.
Additionally, sending children to preschool early is especially important for children who need additional support. This includes social, emotional, athletic, organizational, and communication skills.
The top Gurgaon Schools offer pre-primary programs and provide children with a safe and healthy environment like a second home. This program is for children aged 2 to 5 years old. Opportunities to play, socialize, eat together, share and care, and take turns are provided throughout the day and incorporated into a variety of subjects.
Research shows that two years of pre-primary education helps children to be better prepared for school, with better literacy, emotional and social skills.
“Sooner begun is sooner done” – Patrick Rothfuss
Social, Emotional, and communication skills: The children who attend the preschool are able to interact easily, mingle well with other children and the teachers, and also make new friends. They learn to express their feelings and also regulate their emotions.
Top 10 Schools in Gurgaon offer opportunities to engage and interact with friends and other children of the same or different ages through pretend play. They not only learn to express and share their feelings but also enhance their vocabulary: I am happy, sad, or expressing by gestures; laughing when feeling excited, and so on.
Independence and Values: Schools provide an environment where children learn to be organized from the very beginning. The shoe racks, closets, and spaces are provided for the children to keep their things e.g. the artwork, and their favorite book. The values of sharing and caring, and the use of magical words: Sorry, Thank you and please are imbibed through stories and role modeling. The practice of tidying up the resources once the work is finished and taught from a very young age.
“The sooner, the better!”? Franklin W. Dixon,
Awareness about health and hygiene: Schools manage their children’s nutrition according to a 5-day meal plan having kitchen and catering facilities in the school. Children learn healthy habits: The children learn healthy habits: eating and hygiene, table manners, etc at the preschool.
Following norms and directions: Activities such as circle time, playground play, swings, and slides not only add fun and excitement to the day, but also promote the habit of sitting in a circle, listening to other learners and teachers, and following directions.
Schools help to make the children feel comfortable and safe and build trust among them for their surroundings. This leads them to become open-minded, inquirers, collaborative, risk takers, inquisitive, creative, and critical thinkers.
“If children feel safe, they can take risks, ask questions, make mistakes, learn to trust, share their feelings, and grow.” ~ Alfie Kohn
It is concluded that a good preschool experience can truly help children learn faster and also makes learning sustainable.