Early Childhood Education – More Than Daycare

If you are a single parent who must hold down a job (or, as is the "uniquely American" case oftentimes, two or three jobs) in order to provide for a family, it goes without saying that when it comes to toddlers and pre-schoolers especially, quality daycare is a necessity. But is it enough?

If you are among the fortunate enough to have family members or a neighbor who is willing to look after your very young child while you are on the job – or are able to hire a babysitter – your child is probably missing some important opportunities for intellectual growth. Yes, his/her physical needs for nourishment and protection are certainly being met, and there may be some socialization that occurs in a typical day care center, but many of them neglect learning activities that can stimulate cognitive function and give the child a firm foundation for furthering his/her education later in life.

It Starts On Day One

What happens to a child between birth and age five has a tremendous impact on their performance in school later on, this is a well known fact that Educators have long realized (even if policymakers refuse to acknowledge it). Sadly, although a recent policy decreed that "every child will enter school ready to learn," lawmakers on Capitol Hill were as usual very vague on how this is supposed to happen.

Research has proven that children may start learning even before birth; during the last trimester, the child may benefit from exposure to certain types of music as well as speech. The human brain undergoes rapid growth throughout the preschool years; it is safe to say that what happens to a child during the first five years of life largely shapes the adult s/he will become. At this stage of a child's life, s/he develops his/her basic language skills, a sense of self, his/her place in the group and the role of culture – all the basic tools required to function in a given society.

In short, the preschool years are those in which an elastic, malleable brain is "hardwired."


The Benefits

It has been clearly demonstrated that even one year of attendance at a certified preschool in which young children have opportunities for cognitive development through age-appropriate learning activities (such as educational games and other forms of constructive play) gives a child a tremendous advantage when they enter kindergarten. Such children have superior skills in reading, writing and speaking and mathematics – which are the foundation of every other subject. Additionally, children with a year or more of academic preschool have better social skills and are able to function better in a group setting. The effects of a quality preschool education will last a lifetime – and make it far more likely that the child will succeed as an adult in a Darwinian economic and social system in which every person is for him or herself and the only rule is "survival of the fittest."

Co-written by Emily Patterson and Kathleen Thomas
Emily and Kathleen are Communications Coordinators for the Atlanta day care facility, a member of the AdvancED® accredited family of Primrose Schools (located in 16 states throughout the U.S.) and part of the network of day care preschools delivering progressive, early childhood, Balanced Learning® curriculum.
Thank you!!

How To Teach Your Toddler To Be Polite

Thank you can mean a lot to someone.



You need to be persistent and patient. You need to answer any questions your toddler may ask, such as “Why?”



1. How many times have you been at a store and witnessed a toddler being loud and obnoxious. You need to start early as soon as they are able to talk. Toddlers may start talking and saying sentences as early as 12 months. Because toddlers minds are like sponges that absorb everything, they really want to learn and are more than eager to please.



2. Some of the basic politeness words are thank you, Please, excuse me, May I?, and will you? These are words that you can incorporate in your everyday activities.



3. For example: When asking your toddler to do something you might say, Johnny will you sit your flash cards on the table for me please.” Also, when your toddler asks you for something if he is demanding such as “give me some water?” You just restate it and say, “Give me some water please?” or you might say, “May I have some water please?” When your toddler hands you a toy or even a ball, tell him/ her thank you. Also, do not forget praise. Praise him/her by saying I really appreciate that, you are a big help to me. Toddlers love to mimic, so they will eventually mimic this behavior and it will become a lifestyle for him/her.



4. Be persistent. It takes 21 days for a habit to form. Make this a natural lifestyle to emphasize politeness. Before you know it, it will be common to hear your toddler say, please or excuse me. This is a part of social skills that will help your toddler as he/she goes though life . It wil help give balance to his/her life.

How To Make Conversation With Your Toddler

There is no need to feel uncomfortable any longer. Start having good conversation with your toddler. Start conversing. The sooner the better. You do not have to be at a loss for words any longer.

1. Assess

Assess your present situation and surroundings. Look around you. Just choose a subject. Ask your toddler his/her opinion. Give your toddler an honest compliment about him/her, his/her clothing, his/her thoughtfulness. The list could go on and on. Ask your toddler how he/she might feel about something. For example pick out one of the many books that you have read to your toddler and ask him/her what did they like most about the story.

2. Food

You could ask your toddler what their favorite food is to start a conversation. Usually just by asking the question is all that your toddler needs to get started talking in the conversation.


3. Jokes

Jokes are sometimes a good way to start a conversation. It will make your toddler feel at ease when talking with you. Maybe you feel you do not know any jokes to tell your toddler. That is no excuse. Just search the internet, you will find many clean jokes to tell your toddler.


4. Teacher

Maybe discuss what your toddler likes or dislikes about his/her teacher or daycare provider. I once remember my child disliking a teacher very much. When I mentioned the teacher’s name she had quite a lot to say about him. No it was not positive, but it did start my child to talking.

5. Practice

Have you ever heard “Practice makes perfect?” Well that is true. Maybe you might not do as well as you wanted the first time. Do not beat yourself up about it. Continue to practice and it will become easier and you should get better at it. Remember conversation is not just one-sided. Usually you can start the conversation by asking certain questions.


6. Who, What, When, and Why

These are things to remember to help in your conversation with your toddler. Possibly ask your toddler something beginning with “Who, What, When, and/or Why.”