Early education for our children
Published:Monday | January 16, 2012 | 12:00 AM
THE EDITOR, Sir:
It'S good to see that our childcare and education departments are beginning to see the importance of wholesome stimuli early in the development of an individual. Indeed, high-quality day care and nurseries/kindergartens are considered critical for developing the cooperation and communication skills necessary to prepare young children for lifelong education, as well as for formal learning of reading and mathematics.
Early-childhood education should emphasise respect for each child's individuality and the chance for each child to develop as a unique person. Early-childhood educators should also guide children in the development of social and interactive skills.
To foster a culture of reading, all parents of newborn babies could be given literature, one for the parents, suggesting the roles of the parents, and a set of 'baby' books containing a journal, as well as bedtime stories, to be read to the child from day one.
Early education is the first and most critical stage of lifelong learning. Neurological research has shown that 90 per cent of brain growth occurs during the first five years of life, and 85 per cent of the nerve paths develop before starting school.
Care must be taken by parents and society to prepare children physically (eating properly, keeping clean) and mentally (communication, social awareness, empathy, safety and self-reflection) before beginning more formal learning at age five or six.
The idea is that the child learns through play, so that by the time he or she finally gets to school, he or she is keen to continue learning.
AINSWORTH D.M. FORSYTHE
Teacher, Guy's Hill High