The first eight years of life lay the groundwork for later learning. Research shows that a strong foundation in reading, math and writing prepares children for K-12 , higher education and, ultimately, the workforce.
The early years are a crucial time for cognitive, language, literacy and social-emotional development. Before a child gets on that yellow school bus to head off to kindergarten, they are learning how to build relationships, pay attention, listen to others, regulate emotions, cooperate, resolve conflict, play well with others and express their thoughts. They need to develop strong interactions and relationships with the adults around them. Those adults may be a mother, father, grandparent, aunt, uncle, teacher or coach.
Robert Fulghum’s classic book, All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten, first published in 1986, highlights life lessons that remain just as relevant today. The author outlines what he learned: share, play fair, put things back where you found them, don’t take things that aren’t yours, clean up and say you are sorry when you hurt someone. It is important to take time to learn, think and play. Isn’t that the recipe for a happy, healthy and balanced life?
The Emotional IQ of a person and their ability to empathize, manage emotions, build relationships and resolve conflict with others will help them to be successful in school and life. Research confirms that the “soft skills” valued by employers begin developing long before kindergarten. Children are learning to:
Collaborate – work with others on projects
Communicate – articulate thoughts clearly, listen actively, and express ideas
Think critically – analyze information, solve problems, question and think about solutions to problems
Solve problems – identify problems, examine the root cause and implement solutions
Negotiate – discuss and seek resolution that all parties can agree on
Work well with others – the ability to play and work with different groups of people
Be creative – generate new ideas and processes
During a recent visit to a preschool classroom at The E3 School, I watched as five children transformed the Dramatic Play Kitchen into an airplane. One excited boy pulled me aside and declared, “this isn’t a kitchen – it’s a plane!” They worked together and used their imaginations. The plane was hitting turbulence and they were figuring out how to avoid a crash. There were unruly passengers to deal with, instructions being written, conversations about what to do, and lots of fun learning and playing.
By investing in the early years, we’re not just preparing children for school – we’re equipping them with the skills they’ll need for a lifetime of success. If you spend just a few minutes in a high quality early learning program, you will see these skills in action.
With Gratitude,
Lisa Howard