Early Childhood Education – Certified Early Childhood Education Fills the Gaps
While there are still some parents who can stay at home with their children, our reality today is that most parents are forced to send their young children to some type of to child care facilities or preschool.
Those who are fortunate enough to stay at home to raise their children naturally wish to take full advantage of this opportunity by attempting to give their children a head start on learning; reading to them, engaging in educational play activities, encouraging them to read, and more. Unfortunately, very few parents can do it all.
However if you are forced to or want to send your children to a preschool, the decision you make about which program to send them to can either benefit or hurt them. This is where young children can greatly benefit from attendance a certified preschool, operated by trained, certified early childhood educators. While preschool teacher cannot replace a parent, the experience of learning in a school setting during the early years can be a valuable supplement to a child's experience at a time when the brain is being shaped and developed.
SPICE
One area that a certified early childhood educator can fill the gap in is the developmental stages.
There is arguably no substitute for a loving parent-child relationship and daily interactions – but scientific methodology has an important place. There are five equally important areas of a young child's development that must have special attention paid to, also known as "SPICE" – Social, Physical, Intellectual, Creative and Emotional.
Social development includes the way a child relates to others and functions in a group setting. Particularly for those who come from a family where they are the only child, but also for those children with siblings as well, it is important to see how they interact with those who they are not related to. The importance of socialization in a structured environment becomes apparent.
Physical development refers to building motor skills, from the gross (such as walking and running) to the fine (such as holding a pen or pencil).
Intellectual development is achieved through structured play, and of course means development of language and math skills as well as the child's innate sense of curiosity and wonder; Intellectual development is central to success in school later on.
Creative development addresses artistic talents in visual arts, music, storytelling and even theatrics. It is the foundation self-expression and problem solving and something that children need to explore early on.
Emotional development is also frequently overlooked, even by the most devoted parents. Yet, without a sense of self, including self confidence and the discipline to deal with one's own emotional responses, a child will have difficulty functioning in society later in life.
The Professional Advantage
It is likely that most parents are aware of these developmental domains on an instinctive level. However, certified preschool educators are trained in the scientific theory and methodology that can make the difference between a child succeeding – and succeeding brilliantly.
Co-written by Emily Patterson and Kathleen Thomas
Emily and Kathleen are Communications Coordinators for the network of Atlanta child care facilities belonging to the AdvancED® accredited family of Primrose educational child care schools. Primrose Schools are located in 16 states throughout the U.S. and are dedicated to delivering progressive, early childhood, Balanced Learning® curriculum throughout their preschools.