Parents will not think twice about enrolling their children in primary school, but many will hesitate to sign-up their young kids in early learning programs. The hesitation is understandable considering that parents tend to be more protective of their little ones, especially if they have to leave them to another person’s care.
The doubt about the importance and necessity of preschool education is further intensified by the many misconceptions surrounding early childhood education programs. Perhaps you are also experiencing the same misgivings. If so, you may want to know the truths behind the following common myths about early learning so that you can make the most beneficial decision for your little one:
Myth 1: Early Childhood Education Centres Are the Same as Childcare Centres
Many people believe that early childhood education (ECE) centres are the same as childcare or daycare centres. While both facilities cater to young kids and allow them to socialise with others, ECE offers so much more than supervising kids while their parents are working.
Unlike childcare or daycare that employs child care workers with basic skills and training, ECE centres are run by professionals who have the experience, education, and license to teach young children. ECE offers a structured learning environment to develop your child’s critical thinking, problem-solving, social, and creative skills.
Every activity in ECE programs are purposeful and not just carried out to entertain or keep kids occupied. ECE has a curriculum that is designed to facilitate learning and development. On the contrary, daycares merely offer basic education, such as counting numbers and learning the alphabet.
Myth 2: Early Childhood Education is Forcing Kids to Learn Even When They Are Not Ready.
Another common myth surrounding ECE is that enrolling such programs compels young children to learn even when they are not intellectually ready. Whether you notice it or not, kids learn and absorb information at a staggering pace every day.
One study supports this claim as the researchers found that critical brain development among children mainly happens before entering kindergarten. The same research found that kids from poor households tend to learn around thirty million less words than those from affluent households by the time they are three years old. This result is a reflection of how many words the children listen to every day.
Given these findings, it is evident that early interventions are critical in ensuring the optimal development of young minds. Instead of “forcing” children to study, ECE mainly takes advantage of the children’s minds’ receptivity during this stage.
Myth 3: Exposing Kids to Early Learning Will Stifle Their Enthusiasm in Academics
Instead of getting fed-up with school, studies reveal that children who were enrolled in high-quality early learning programs tend to perform better in primary school and beyond. ECE provided them with a head start to be ready for the demands of academic life.
Existing evidence also suggests that kids who experience remarkable ECE have more passion for learning. Early learning helped train them to be more curious and interested in discovering new things and tackling challenges.
The facts mentioned above are just a few of the crucial things you need to know about early childhood education programs. Keep in mind that numerous studies reveal the benefits of such programs in enhancing children’s overall development. Instead of ignoring these advantages outright, it is best to do your research so that you can find a program most suited to your little one.
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