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Importance of Preschool Education for Your Kid
The early years, from 0-5 years, are the crucial formative years in a child’s life. They can form the basis of a strong foundation on which the child’s further growth and development may be based. During this decisive period, the child’s brain begins to develop. He starts to grasp things and attain an understanding of his surroundings. Proper direction and proper training during this period can facilitate his growth and development. That is why preschool education becomes all the more essential.
Preschool education can be the stepping stone to the bright future of a child. According to experts, preschool education can help a kid not only in gaining better social skills, greater adaptability, and adjustment but also aid the kid in performing academically well later on.
Why Is Preschool Education Important for Your Child?
Preschools can play a key role in the overall growth and development of the child. Preschools can help channelise the energy of kids in a constructive way, fuel their imagination, satisfy their curious minds and introduce them to basic concepts of learning. Studies indicate that kids enrolled in preschools have later shown a better understanding of concepts and improved grades in elementary school.
Preschool is the first place where a kid finds his own identity, learns to interact with people other than his family, make new friends thereby gaining self-confidence in the process. Preschools can play a vital role in the personality development of a kid by positively shaping his attitude and aptitude.
More importantly, it can provide a kid with the right motivation to learn by demonstrating that learning can be fun and interesting. It moulds the first impression of the place of learning. Besides, preschools may also provide the parents with the opportunity to relax while their kids get to learn in a fun, useful manner.
Preschool education is an early childhood program that aims at educating kids of 3 to 5 years of age, by combining learning with fun with the help of playful and creative methods. A preschool is also called pre-primary, play way or kindergarten. The benefits of preschool education are listed below:
1. Gain Social Skills
One of the important things that a kid acquires from preschool education is social skills.Preschool education provides a platform where kids get to interact with other kids and the teachers on their own. They learn to share, compete in a healthy manner and intermingle with kids of their age through numerous group activities. They learn to communicate effectively, understand instructions, follow commands and conduct themselves in an orderly manner. Preschool education can prove beneficial for kids who are temperamentally shy by helping them to draw out and thus preventing them from becoming introverts.
2. Learning Through Play
Preschool education imparts learning and knowledge through playful means thereby making learning fun for the kids. The various activities are specifically planned to introduce basics like colours, shapes, letters, numbers to the kids in a fun and interesting manner. Activities like drawing and finger painting, dancing and singing classes, clay modelling, block building and counting, storytelling class, nature walks, activity books are all aimed to make learning a joyful experience for the kids.
3. Boost Creativity
The different inventive activities offered at preschool aims at encouraging imagination and creativity in kids. They get ample opportunities to explore and approach learning of concepts through creative means. Learning through artistic activities facilitates not only easy understanding but also better retention.
4. Promote Motor Skills
Many interactive and physical activities at preschool enable the kids to develop and enhance their motor skills. Playful activities such as catching and rolling the ball, bead threading, building blocks, simple paper folding techniques, colouring, sticking objects with glue, inserting the right shapes in spaces play an essential role in the development of child’s motor skills and hand to eye coordination. Jigsaw puzzles of various types and playing with age-appropriate toys helps stimulate the brain and promotes the cognitive development of kids.
5. Readies the kid for Elementary School
Preschool education prepares the child for the coming years of learning and school life. It is an excellent way of generating awareness among toddlers of a life apart from the comfort and security of their homes and parents by providing them with an appropriate conducive environment where they can explore new things in a playful and creative manner. A kid gets accustomed to a set routine which helps ease his transition process to elementary school life.
Difference Between Preschool and Childcare
Childcare or day care centre or crèche is a commercial place where working parents may leave their kids to be taken care by babysitters or nannies for certain specific hours like for the duration of parent’s working hours. They basically supervise or look after the kid while the parents are at work.
Preschool is an educational institution that offers initial childhood education to kids under age 3 to 4 years who are not yet old enough to begin primary school. Professionally qualified and trained teachers teach kids through activity based, playful methods.
However, both the terms can be used in place of each other. Childcare centres with trained professionals and exciting activities and games can provide kids with similar benefits as that of a good preschool.
Is Preschool Education Really Necessary?
Many experts believe that preschool education is not just a great concept but is necessary to the academic success of a child. It should not be viewed as a place where the kid may gain academic mastery but as a training tool which can help in the comprehensive social, emotional, mental and personal development of the child. Preschool education can aid in the enhancement of various motor and physical skills that form the basis of writing, speaking and learning.
Moreover, most parents, these days, are working and may not be able to take out quality time from their busy schedules to educate their kids. Kids are often left behind at home in the care of grandparents or aides who may not be able to teach or guide productively and positively.
When Can Your Kid Start Preschool?
Many preschools enrol kids as young as two and a half years while others accept only when the kid turns three. The decision really lies with the parents depending on whether they are a working couple, if they are ready to let the kid be away from them and if they think their kid is ready to explore on his own. Kids may be enrolled for either part-time or for a full-time program.
How to Select A Preschool?
Preschool effects on child development can be far-reaching. The value of preschool education is immense. Therefore, parents need to be careful while selecting a suitable preschool for their kid. Moreover, it is the first time that their kid will be away from them and the comfort zone of the house. Therefore, preschool should feel like a second home away from home where the kid can feel relaxed and happy. Certain considerations that may be kept in mind while selecting a preschool are as follows:
Step 1: Choose a Location and Schedule
Parents need to decide upon an appropriate schedule for their kid depending on the temperament, readiness, and age of their kid. Accordingly, they can register him for a part-time course like 2 or 3 days in a week for a few hours or a fulltime course like five days a week. Moreover, they may like to select a preschool which is nearer to their place of residence or working place for convenience and to reduce the travelling time for the kid.
Step 2: Verify the License
It is important to check the license of a preschool. It should have a valid license by a recognised authority certifying that the preschool meets all the regular and approved standards of teaching, curriculum, safety regulations, healthcare and cleanliness standards and child care amenities.
Step 3: Check Credentials of the Teaching Staff
It is essential to check the educational qualifications of the teaching staff employed by the preschool. Qualified and trained professionals with considerable experience in managing such young children will be able to teach efficiently and beneficially.
Step 4: Enquire About Curriculum
Keep in mind to ask about the kind of activities and facilities that the preschool has to offer to its students. Parents may also like to inquire about the teaching methods adopted by the teachers and the student-teacher ratio per class. If the ratio is less, your child is likely to benefit more from the individual attention that the teacher will be able to provide him. An excellent curriculum comprises of varied age-appropriate activities and teaching methods.
Step 5: Feedback And Scheduled Visits
It is advisable to ask about the number of parent-teacher meetings the preschool schedules for the benefit of the parents and the channels of feedback and communication the school has established to help parents check the progress of their kids. Many preschools organize open houses wherein parents can observe the teachers teaching a class, the functioning of the school and gage the general feel and atmosphere of the preschool.
Kids form the future of every society. Parents by providing good preschool education to their child can do a great service not only to the child but also to the society at large. Preschool education can provide an edge to the kids due to which they are more likely to perform academically well and enjoy school life.
Also Read: Safety Rules at School for Kids Read more
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Do Parents Have a Favourite Child? Study Says, Depends on Parent’s Gender!
Do you think parents engage in favouritism when it comes to their children? Do parents have favourites? You may say 'No!', but new study has revealed they do. What's more, it depends on your own gender!
As much as we would like to believe that we are fair, non-judgmental, and unbiased, we all have to agree that phrases like “Daddy’s angel” and “Mamma’s boy” do exist, and for a very good reason. We all know who children turn to when they want something and know one of the parents is going to be strict – daughters turn to their fathers, and sons to their mothers. But is it the same with parents?
A recent study conducted by the Rutgers Business School in New Jersey has discovered rather surprisingly that parents favour children of the same gender. In other words, mothers favour daughters, and fathers favour sons.
Do Parents Have Favourites? Apparently, YES!
Most indian families are now moving towards a single child module of family, while some are radically choosing to not have kids at all. However, the generation of us mothers (and those before us) were of multiple children. We have all ‘felt’ and lived through favouritism done by our parents, and when we have tried to raise a voice about it, we have been dismissed with statements like - ‘How dare you? I love you both equally.
On the other hand, in some households, the order of birth decided the amount of favouritism, and it was pretty much accepted (or gulped down) by children.
But does parental favouritism really exist? And is there a gender bias involved in it? The answer is yes!
WATCH: Why Parents Play ‘Favourites’
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCpIJPvcy6s]
The Bias is Particularly Noticed About Mone
The recent Rutgers Business School’s study – authored by Kristina Durante – explains that when it comes to buying things and spending money, mothers subconsciously favour daughters and spend more money on them, while fathers do so for their sons.
This may come as a big surprise to many people. We have all, after all, grown up with cultural appropriations that suggest that parents will be more lenient and give in easily to the child of the opposite gender. In fact we all know how fathers and daughters enjoy special things together, while mothers and sons also have their own set of unique things they like to do together.
However, according to this study, when it comes to shelling out the big bucks for their child, parents favour the child of the same gender as themselves! While this is not a conscious choice, the findings of the study clearly indicated that this happens.
Indians Do It Too!
To rule out cultural factors, the study was conducted across various cultures. It was found that the finding holds true across various cultures too. In fact. one of the cultural groups that the study was conducted on was Indian parents, and as much as we would like to believe otherwise, the findings of the study held true even for Indian parents!
The Experiment Involved Treasury Bonds and Raffle Tickets
Parents with one boy-child and girl-child each were invited to participate in the study. The first experiment involved the parents making a choice between their two children, about who will receive a treasury bond worth 25 dollars.
As you may have guessed by now, mothers almost always chose to give the bond to their daughters, while fathers opted for their sons.
As a second experiment, parents were given a lottery ticket to fill out, in which they could win a backpack for either their son or their daughter. The numbers were astonishing: 75% mothers chose to enter their daughters in the lottery, while a staggering 87% fathers chose to enter their sons!
Parents See a ‘Mini Me’ In The Child
So why do parents tend to do this? According to Durante, “The bias toward investing in same-gendered children occurs because women identify more with and see themselves in their daughters, and the same goes for men and sons.”
Now that seems probable, doesn’t it?
As a mother, a parent would be more tuned into a girl-child, with respect to her challenges, her needs, her dreams, aspirations, and her wants. While a father may not understand the need of one more bag or that expensive dress, a mother would perhaps be more attuned to the daughter’s need of ‘looking attractive’ or ‘fitting in’, and may hence be willing to indulge her in the bag or the dress. Likewise, a father may more keenly understand the son’s urge to own an expensive pair of sport shoes, which the mother may not necessarily see eye-to-eye on with the father.
What Does This Mean?
From a family stand-point, this study can have various implications. In households where only one parent is in-charge of the finances, the way money is spent on children might be a little skewed: fathers may be more willing to spend money and resources on the son than the daughter. In households with dual income, this bias may not be so evident.
However, matters may get really serious when one thinks of inheritances, and family heirlooms. Who should benefit the most?
On a larger scale, this could revolutionise the way businesses and retailers view customers. The said study was published in the Journal of Consumer Psychology, and indeed it has the potential to revise the way marketing is done too.
Bias Or Prejudice? Choose Equality!
Although the participants' behavior and the results of the study clearly showed parents play favorites, more than 90 percent of them said they didn't prefer one kid over another in an interview.
It is a scary proposition to think we might be subconsciously doing this to our children. No matter what, they are both our children, and we should be creating a world of equal opportunity and rights for them – at least in our own homes, if not in the outside world. But then again, it all starts at home.
But because this is not a conscious choice, it is even more difficult to weed out!
So what can you do? Here are a few tips to ensure you create a fair and just environment at home:
Never buy gifts for just one child.
Never buy disproportionate gifts – if one child is going to get a gift worth five thousand, so should the other.
Set aside a birthday fund for both children that is equal in its worth. Do this at the beginning of the year, so you have no reason to go back to one child and say ‘we can’t afford to get you a big enough gift like your sister/brother this year’.
As children grow up, make sure both receive the same amount of pocket money.
Extend this in all spheres – spend equal amount of time with both children, favour them both equally, pamper them both equally, and most importantly, make a conscious effort of doing this. Do not assume you are being fair; give yourself a reality check every once in a while.
It would be a good idea to bear in mind that: favouritism, while bad, is a subconscious thing. No parent will ever knowingly want to do it to their children. So do not beat yourself down for it. As long as you consciously take corrective steps, all is well! Read more
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Why Preschoolers Need to Play With Clay
Your toddler will soon see the doors of a preschool, and as a parent, you are naturally very excited. It is always a good practice of a great parent to subject your little toddler to learning sessions at home. The learning experience should be in the form of a physical activity or game and it is here that clay can be very useful!
Kids develop very rapidly in their preschool years and learn several skills. Playing with clay adds to these developmental skills and is thus considered a must before joining preschool.
1. Therapy
Playing with clay is fun and the same fun acts as a stress buster for your child. The calming effect of handling clay will soothe kids. It has the same function as a stress ball. The physical activity will also help your kid physically express their emotions.
2. Motor Skill Developer
Kids will squeeze, pinch, and tear the clay to form shapes of their own choice. The various shapes will actually help develop the overall motor skills. It will also improve the central nervous and hand-eye coordination. The intricate designs will also teach them to make complete use of fingers and hand. ||
3. Problem Solving Skills
Clay modelling will initiate a positive quality in your pre-schooler – that of solving problems on their own. The shapes made using clay will have specific edges and corners which your child will figure out eventually. He will have a great time learning to do this all by himself.
4. Confidence Booster
Playing fun games with clay will boost confidence in your preschooler. The various shapes made by your kid will develop his artistic side and help him feel accomplished. This positive confidence is great for your kid’s future success.
5. Creativity & Motivation
Clay modelling puts your child’s brain to good use, thus effectively unlocking his creative side. Your kids may come up with something wonderful and when you appreciate their work, their joy knows no bounds! Remember, motivation is a basic necessity for success and your preschooler must have lots of it at this age.
6. Making Learning Enjoyable
Make learning fun by playing with clay along with your child. Shape out letters and you will see that your preschooler has learnt the art in no time. Do mathematics with clay and you will find that sums will never be difficult again!
Let your kid have the space and time to play with clay. Have patience and see your kid unlock numerous passions. It is a terrific way to teach him some great lessons for life! Read more
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Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
8 hours ago
Q. hi have one question
LT 10x18mm and RT 18x20mm and ET 6.5
what it mean??? and should I start intercourse
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant
Ayurvedic Gynaecologist
8 hours ago
A. since you are right follicle is 18 mm yes of course you can start with your intercourse for conception as in 1 to 2 days
their maybe rupture of the follicle by which your sperm should be present there for conception
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
7 hours ago
Q. #asktheexpert
why baby vomit
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
7 hours ago
A. for babies less than 6 months may not be a problem. small babies will be having lot of gas because of various reasons it is advisable to do burping of the baby immediately after feeding please give colimex DF drops to the baby they are safe
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 1 month
7 hours ago
Q. i am 35 weeks 3 days pregnant... my ultrasound report shows that "fl and hl are shorter compared to bpd"... is this anything to worry
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant
Ayurvedic Gynaecologist
3 hours ago
A. You should have proper consultation with your treating doctor , as some examination or investigations may be needful, so that proper medications can be given And the treatment can be done very properly.
needs proper follow-up for this
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
7 hours ago
Q. I am 9 week pregnant and I have runny nose very badly can I use cetirizine tablet?
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant
Ayurvedic Gynaecologist
3 hours ago
A. use nasal drops , that acts faster .
You should have proper consultation with your treating doctor , as some examination or investigations may be needful, so that proper medications can be given And the treatment can be done very properly.
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
7 hours ago
Q. hi,
my LT 10x18mm and RT 18x20mm and ET 6.5 , what if I intercourse after 2 days, can I do intercourse in ovulation day can become a pregent .
on ovulation day if we intercourse can become a pregent..pls advice..
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant
Ayurvedic Gynaecologist
3 hours ago
A. since the follicle size is 18 to 20 mm your ovulation may occur within 24 hours also so if you have intercourse with in that time it will be more effective to get conceived
your endometrial growth is not good enough for conception but still you can just try
Sai Prasanthi R L has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
6 hours ago
Q. Hlw dr its my 6th month pregnency can i intimate with my partner
Sai Prasanthi R L
Mom of a 10 yr 2 m old boy
6 hours ago
A. Hello dear! If your pregnancy is going on fine without any high risk factors then it’s okay. Still, would advise you to check with your doctor once before going further. Maintain a good personal hygiene routine and a healthy lifestyle
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