“Children are our greatest treasure. They are our future.” – Nelson Mandela
In order to set our children up for a bright future, it is vital to give them a strong foundation from the very start. We do this by enabling them to completely immerse themselves in the world in which they live. To explore, create and marvel in magic. To wonder, and ask questions.
At Medowie Gumnut Preschool, we believe that a high quality Early Education does just this. It is the very basis that sets children up to be confident and capable- not only for school, but for life.
Let’s look at the benefits of preschool, and why it is essential for your child:
- School readiness… but not the way you think:
One of the most important indicators that a child is ready for school can be found in their social skills. To successfully navigate life at school, children need to be confident in managing small conflicts, asking questions, and seeking support from a trusted adult. In Early Childhood Education programs, children have the opportunity to work both independently and in small groups, exploring their interests and learning through play. Play based early education provides opportunities to continuously cultivate the social skills to enter and exit play, and to create and maintain friendships. Spending time in a preschool program gives children the chance to learn and practice these skills, in a safe and caring environment.
- Brains are blooming in the years before school:
While babies are born with the basic functions they need to survive, the first 8 years are a time of huge growth and development, with the preschool years being of significant importance. The human brain roughly quadruples in weight before the age of six (Dobbing and Sands, 1973), and by six years old, brains have acquired roughly 92% of their adult volume. With the help of quality kindergarten programs, children are given the opportunity to strengthen the architecture of their brains, thus maximising the impact of the pace at which the brain develops. (Courchesne et al., 2000)
- An introduction to a lifetime of learning:
Preschool opens the door to the wonder and excitement of learning, discovering, and exploring with their peers, being guided by an educated professional. In a quality preschool program, children build fundamental social, emotional and cognitive skills, which will set them on track for a lifetime of positive dispositions to learning. While learning through play, children explore early mathematical and linguistic concepts, which are the building blocks for future academic success.
- Development of self-awareness:
Between the ages of three and four, children begin to cultivate self-awareness of their actions, and how these have an effect on others. They also develop the ability to monitor their own goals, leading to collaboration and co-operation with others (Hughes and Ensor, 2006). Preschool encourages children to experiment, investigate and contribute to their environments, all which play a key role in developing their self-awareness.
- Emotional and social development:
As children participate in various experiences, it is at preschool that they develop the beginnings of emotional intelligence. Within the early learning environment, children develop the ability to manage their emotions, handle stress, show empathy to others, and take personal responsibility, all of which are fundamental life skills, and making the transition to formal schooling as successful as possible. These are all life lessons that they will take well into adulthood, helping them manage, reflect and grow as people (BPCS WA 2016).
At Medowie Gumnut Preschool, our preschool program focuses on your child’s overall development, right from building their language, literacy and mathematical skills, to encouraging the development of positive dispositions for learning.
