Importance of Preschool Education

Much has been said recently about the importance of preschool education – by governments, educational organizations and of course the media. But why is it so important?

Firstly, the preschool years fall into the so-called formative years. It has been shown that up to the age of 7, children absorb information up to 10 times faster than they do thereafter. Like sponges, they soak up everything they are exposed to, storing it for future use. What better time to teach them the basic skills they will need throughout their lives than when they are able to learn it so easily?

Those basic skills include writing, reading, counting, simple mathematics and general knowledge about the world around them. It also includes learning about art and crafts, constructing things and creating beauty. Physical abilities are also based in basic skills – throwing, catching, kicking, running, jumping and hopping form the basis of most movements used in sports as well as in manual labor.

Formal schooling is designed to build on these basic skills, going into more depth and complexity as children get older and are better able to grasp more complicated concepts. The basics, however, are always needed, no matter what career you choose.

Providing your child with the basic skills the need to start school helps them cope with their new environment. If statutory schooling is your child’s first encounter with any form of schooling, they have a lot to get used to. A large group of children, sharing the attention of one teacher is a big change from mum’s constant attention, shared with no more than a few siblings. Sitting in a classroom will be a new, often intimidating experience. Speaking to relative strangers such as teachers and new classmates brings its own set of challenges. There’s a new routine to get used to, and of course the absence of familiar faces and places doesn’t’t help. With some preschool education behind them, your child can at least feel confident that they will be familiar with the school work.

Some form of preschool education, whether at a pre-school or at home, will have taught your child to sit at a table or desk and complete the task they are given. They will be familiar with the work they are likely to get at school, and able to grasp new concepts better than those without any preschool education.

Studies have shown that children whose parents are involved in their education perform better at school, more likely to progress to tertiary education, achieve higher grades and fare better in the job market. That involvement can take the form of teaching your child the basics before they start school, helping them practice and learn their work at school, or taking an interest in what they are doing at school. Whether that involvement starts with preschool education is up to you.

Tips to Build Your Child’s Confidence

Confidence is a difficult concept. It includes a feeling that you have that ability to learn and work hard to achieve a goal, but it also includes self-esteem – a feeling of self-worth and that you are happy with yourself. For children, confidence comes from their parents – their influence, their attitude and their love.

Building your child’s confidence needs to be carefully balanced. An under-confident child is as likely to have problems as an over-confident one. You want your child to believe in their abilities and their worthiness, based on reality. That confidence will allow them to try new challenges, learn new things, and believe that their capabilities will lead them to success.

Your child needs to know, first and foremost, that you love them – no matter what they achieve. Your love is not conditional on them coming first in class or winning a race, and it is not even dependent on their behavior. You may not approve of their behavior at times, but you still love them.

Give praise when it is earned, and always give positive encouragement. Too much praise can lead to your child only doing things for the praise they get, or not making any effort at all because every little thing they do is praised by their parents. Rather use positive feedback to encourage your child – “You tried really hard”, “I’m proud of you for the work you put into that picture” – than over-doing the praise. Try to criticize the behavior, not the child, when criticism is required.

Teach your child to handle mistakes and failure. Everyone fails some time, but by helping your child recognize where mistakes were made, and why, you help them realize that they can learn from their mistakes, and do better next time.

Your child needs to learn that effort and hard work are required in order to conquer new challenges, and that practice will help to develop their skills, whether in writing or catching a ball. This important lesson will prepare them for future challenges where they will have to exert themselves to achieve success.

Self-discipline is part and parcel of self-confidence, and you need to teach your child that they are in control of their actions. It is their choice whether they keep trying and succeed, or give up when the going gets tough.

A ‘can do’ attitude is very important. Encourage your child to try new things – hitting the ball with a bat, learning to count to 10, riding a bicycle and reading a sentence – whatever it is, tell your child you believe they can do it if they try hard and practice. Eventually, they’ll believe it too – and go out and do it.

A confident child is more likely to succeed at school, socially as well as academically. The confidence you help your child to build now will last the rest of their lives, and help them in their every endeavor. You can do it too!