It's been a while since I've done a "my thoughts" post.
I've been giving some thought to a topic I've been noticing among my field (early childhood education/childcare) and thought I'd address it.
I've been working with children in some capacity for over twenty years.
I've worked in childcare centers, taught preschool, and now own my own childcare/preschool business. There is a growing trend I've noticed.
The children that are most successful in school...are the ones who spend a lot of quality family time together.
I'm not talking about working on academics all time with their parents.
It's even just the families that just enjoy hanging out together.
The families that I see playing games together in the evening, reading together, going on outings together, playing together...these are the kids I see with the biggest kindergarten readiness and success early on.
Yes, learning the alphabet, counting, working on colors and shapes is all good (and very helpful for kindergarten readiness)...but when I see the family unit, just mom, dad, and the kids spending quality time together...I notice these kids are always the brightest and have the most interest in learning in my preschool setting.
I have one example of a family in my care...and they are always doing things together...just the four of them...mom, dad, brother, and sister.
They hang out in the evenings, going on walks, playing at the park, going to festivals, attending ballgames, going to parades. They also read together and learn together.
Their children have both been in my care since birth and are extremely bright and have such an interest in learning!
On the flip side...I have had families where the parents are always "on the go"...playing on sports teams, going out with friends, going away on trips...and these kids spend 10 hours in childcare per day, then go home to a babysitter all night, then go to grandma's on the weekend.
Try as I may...I seem to have a more difficult time reaching and teaching these kids.
The interest in learning just isn't quite the same as those children who are growing up spending lots of quality time with their parents.
Please don't get me wrong.
I am not saying parents should never get away or have a life outside of their children.
That's all fine and good. It's important to maintain friendships and have date nights with our spouses. It is crucial! But we do have to prioritize when we have small children. Those early years are critical to their learning and development.
And these children that have no family time in their life...these are the ones I'm seeing have no interest in academics and struggling in school.
It really has nothing to do with the kids who are in daycare and the kids who are with their "stay-at-home" mom all day. I have had full time daycare kids who go on and thrive in school! I had one mom say, "Whatever you're doing, keep it up! His teacher said he was MORE than prepared for kindergarten!" But I had to credit her too. Even though both she and her husband work full time outside of the home, they are one of the families I'm talking about who spend pretty much every night with their children and they limit their social lives while their kids are little.
You will probably say this is all just opinion-based, and you're right...I'm just giving my observations and experience. I am not conducting studies. But this is just my observations over the past 20+ years.
But I urge you as parents...as a parent myself of two nearly grown children...and the caregiver/teacher of young children...spend as much time as you can with your child. Don't just "be in the same room". Give your full attention to them. Talk with them, color with them, read to them, go on walks together, play with play dough together, paint together, climb the monkey bars together, go to festivals and parades, visit the zoo, cook together! These are all quality learning experiences and the memories will last forever!
These not only build memories and create fun for your child...you are creating learning experiences! Talk about colors and shapes while doing these activities...point out the colors and shapes of things. Count objects when doing these activities. Talk about letter sounds and point out and try to recognize letters. "Learning through play" is the biggest way toddlers and preschoolers learn!
Most of all...don't take this time for granted.
Everyone will tell you it flies by.
And when you're in the middle of a meltdown/tantrum or other parenting struggle, you may just wish they'd grow up...but as the parent of a 13 and 17 year old...I can personally tell you...IT DOES FLY BY.
Enjoy and savor this time!
But I urge you as parents...as a parent myself of two nearly grown children...and the caregiver/teacher of young children...spend as much time as you can with your child. Don't just "be in the same room". Give your full attention to them. Talk with them, color with them, read to them, go on walks together, play with play dough together, paint together, climb the monkey bars together, go to festivals and parades, visit the zoo, cook together! These are all quality learning experiences and the memories will last forever!
These not only build memories and create fun for your child...you are creating learning experiences! Talk about colors and shapes while doing these activities...point out the colors and shapes of things. Count objects when doing these activities. Talk about letter sounds and point out and try to recognize letters. "Learning through play" is the biggest way toddlers and preschoolers learn!
Most of all...don't take this time for granted.
Everyone will tell you it flies by.
And when you're in the middle of a meltdown/tantrum or other parenting struggle, you may just wish they'd grow up...but as the parent of a 13 and 17 year old...I can personally tell you...IT DOES FLY BY.
Enjoy and savor this time!
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