They say that learning starts at home, and that’s often true. But what if time is not on your side once your child grows a bit older? Early childhood education plays a crucial role in shaping the future of a child, and enrolling them in a preschool programme is usually the first step to formal education. If we know and understand how Explorers Early Learning preschool programs influence the growth of our child, you’ll see its benefit for years to come.

What Are Preschool Programs?

Preschool programmes are educational settings that focus on play-based learning, social interaction, and foundational skills they need so that kids are ready to take on the challenges of primary school. In Australia, preschool may also be referred to as kindy or early learning.

The Key Life Skills Children Develop in Preschool

Social and emotional skills. The opportunity to interact with other people their age and even adults outside of the family circle is crucial for them to develop social and emotional skills. When they acquire this, they also get to learn to take turns in playing, understand emotions and respond to the feelings of others in the right way, and even resolve disagreements.

Communication and language development. Storytelling, singing, having conversations, and the like are not only a creative way to learn, but they also encourage children to express their thoughts and ideas so they can ask the right questions and listen actively to the people around them.

Independence and self-confidence. Tasks like putting away toys and following daily routines by doing chores together may be simple, but it’s one way of having them experience independence in a structured setting like school.

Problem-solving and critical thinking. Play-based learning and hands-on activities are not only for fun, but they also introduce problem-solving and critical thinking skills that children need for them to power through primary school and life in general.

Fine and gross motor skills. Fine and gross motor skills are abilities developed from physical activities and everyday tasks. These include the simple way of holding and cutting scissors, holding a pencil properly to draw, as well as jumping and climbing during physical activities.

Early literacy and numeracy skills. We understand that preschool is not formal academics, but the way it structures itself so that kids would love to learn sets the exposure of making the child ready to face the next steps without feeling overwhelmed. And in this way, kids get introduced to the early stages and concepts of literacy and numeracy in a fun and engaging way.

Belonging, being, and becoming.

Individuality and personal growth are some of the things we want our kids to learn when they are young. This is why many parents appreciate the value of preschool programmes, as they are not only sparking the fire in the child’s love for learning, but they also have a role in shaping the younger generation into well-rounded individuals. And when you invest in a quality preschool experience, nurturing confident and capable kids will benefit not only their families but the whole nation.