The Importance Of Early Childcare Education

By John Miller


When it comes to the care of children all reputable experts agree that the formative years, from birth to age 8, are the most important developmental years for every child. It is during this period that vital foundations for future performance are laid. While parents play an important role in this development process, formal programs can also help to develop the cognitive development, motor skills and social adaptability of very young children. With early Childcare education Warren OH parents can give their children a head start in life.

It would be wrong to think that newborn babies do not learn. In fact, they start to develop immediately after birth. At first they only learn the basics about their immediate environment, but very soon they start to react to stimuli. This includes sounds, colours, smells and even touch. It is therefore important that parents provide the infant with a variety of stimuli and a safe, secure environment that will promote development.

At first most of the learning takes place during games and through informal play. In most cases the learning takes place without the child being aware of him gaining new knowledge and skills. Parents often think that they need expensive, specially designed educational toys to provide the learning experiences that their child needs, but this is not the case. There are numerous activities and games that can achieve this aim without the need to spend a fortune.

Playing remains one of the main sources of new knowledge and skills throughout the first eight years of life. As children grow older their games become more complex. At the same time, their developmental progress accelerates. They start to learn how to operate as part of a team, how to figure out how something works and how to interact with their peers.

Reputable experts such as Erik Erikson and Jean Piaget is of the opinion that children should be enrolled in formal childhood educational programs from the age of 3. They recommend that parents opt for programs that make provision for cognitive development, social and emotional maturity, motor skills and language skills. They are strongly in favour of programs that allow children to learn through experimentation.

The importance of early childhood development cannot be overemphasized. Numerous studies have shown that formal programs can increase the IQ of most children. Education during the formative years increases the chances of performing well at school. In fact, some experts are of the opinion that children that did not receive formal education during the formative year are at a distinct disadvantage compared to those children that did receive the benefits of formal education.

When parents consider enrolling their children in formal development programs they should first conduct some research. The program should make provision for the holistic development of the child and the leaders of the program should be formally qualified and experienced in this field. Parents would benefit from having their children formally assessed before selecting a specific program.

It is only natural that parents want the very best for their children. The greatest gift they can give them is a head start early in life. This can be achieved through formal development programs from a very young age.




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