So you’re considering an early education program for your child. Congratulations! You’re going to enjoy this stage of your life and learn a lot from it. But what is the meaning of early education? Is it just a matter of getting them ready for school? Or does it encompass a lot more? Let’s have a look.
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A Few Things You Should Know
First of all, let’s establish some terminology. Early childhood education is often referred to as ECE for short. And, as we’ve established, early education generally covers the period from birth to age five. Once your baby starts walking you’ll be able to tell the difference between a few hours and a whole day. So when you have them in school you’ll be able to break down their day into smaller chunks. That way you’ll know exactly what’s going on and can make adjustments as needed. But for now, let’s stick with the term ECE for short.
What Are They Learning?
The first and most important thing to establish is what your kid is learning. There are lots of different terms for what your little ones are picking up from their surroundings. Social skills, language, literacy, mathematics, science, and so on. The list is endless. As long as they’re learning something and you’re actively involved in this process then you’re making sure they get the best opportunities and don’t fall behind their peers. This is especially important during this stage of their life as they’ll be carrying these new skills for the rest of their life. Think of a time when your kid watched you cook or bake and then asked you for help with an English word or two. That’s a skill you’ll be able to take with you to the end of your days. So it’s essential you’re not forgetting about what they’re learning.
What Is Their Background?
Another thing to establish is their background. You need to consider their previous learning experience. Do they come from a highly educated family? Do they have siblings and if so what are their learning achievements? What are their interests? These are all important questions to ask yourself because they’ll dictate your approach to this new stage of your life. For example, do you want them to take an academic route and get good grades or would you prefer them to focus on social skills? The answer to these questions will affect how much stimulation and involvement you want to have in their early education. It’s all about finding the right balance.
How Long Does It Last?
The last thing you want to do is put your baby in daycare or preschool just to have them sit there and wait for you to pick them up at the end of the day. That’s a waste of time and you’ll end up as busy as hell all day long. So keep this in mind and make sure you plan your work and social life around it. This way you’ll be able to engage your baby effectively while they’re still young. It’s a difficult phase of their life and you need to be there for them during these first few years. It’s not just about getting them ready for school, it’s about ensuring they get the best start in life possible.
Will They Struggle With Separation Anxiety?
Another important thing to consider is whether or not your child will struggle with separation anxiety. This is especially important if you’re taking them out of the house for the first time. Will they be scared or anxious about being away from your side? Will they want you to stay with them forever? These are all important questions to ask yourself because if they’re going to have problems with separation anxiety then this might be a stage in their development where you need to be particularly attentive to them. It’s not like the other stages where they’ll naturally grow out of it. This is a phase where they’ll need your help and you’ll need to be available to provide it.
The Consequences Of Not Teething
One of the things that can happen if your baby doesn’t teethe is that they might develop an infection called tetanus. This is a severe infection that can be fatal. It’s really important that you look out for any signs of this infection and take the necessary precautions. The safest way to prevent tetanus is by getting your baby to teethe. It’s also important that you not just rely on one tooth as most people do when they’re first entering this world. There are various signs your baby is not teething which include:
poor oral hygiene excessive drooling difficulty sleeping through the night poor appetite choking or gagging when feeding irritability crying episodes fever and rash
These are all symptoms your little one could have and it’s important you recognize these signs.
Will They Be Nanny-Surfing Or Will They Just Want To Be With You?
Another important thing to consider is whether or not your child will be nanny-surfing or just want to be with you all the time. There are various signs your baby is nanny-surfing which include:
becoming distracted easily clinging to you sleeping near you constantly wanting your attention having trouble sleeping through the night irritability scared or anxious when away from you
These are all important questions to ask yourself because it’s going to dictate how much you’re going to enjoy this stage of your life. If they’re just going to want to be with you all the time then this stage is going to fly by and you might miss out on a lot of what parenting is about.
So it’s important you get into the habit of asking yourself these important questions about your kid. This way you’ll know exactly what you’re getting into and can plan your work and social life around it. It’ll also make you a better parent and provide you with more opportunities to bond with your child.