Here’s what you should be aware of:
- Every early years provider should guarantee that children grow and progress appropriately.
Numerous studies, including a 2017 report by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, show that students who spend at least two years in an early childhood education (ECE) programme before attending primary school perform better later in life. Positive effects are seen in academic performance, social behaviour, health and even future earnings and employment.
Additionally, research conducted by the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University suggests that the human brain experiences rapid development from birth to age five, during which "over one million new neural connections are formed every second."
The brain’s development is affected significantly by children’s experiences and relationships during these early years. Multi-sensory learning experiences, health and nutrition support, as well as caring relationships that respond to and reinforce childhood development, are instrumental in enabling the positive development of young children. ECD needs to support four domains of childhood development: physical, cognitive, personal-social-emotional and language. A well-designed and effectively delivered ECD programme – such as the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) programme at the Aga Khan Nursery School, Kampala for ages ranging between two and five years – plays a crucial role in a child’s future success. This stage makes a child fit in the principles categorised as: a unique child; positive relationships; an enabling environment; and learning and development.
This program offers assistance in developing literacy, math skills, world comprehension, and creative expression. These fields work alongside developmental stages to best aid children by readying them for primary education and beyond. Studies show that participating in top-tier early childhood development programs can lead to substantial improvements in completing college and achieving greater income as adults.
Parental engagement
What steps can parents take to foster their children’s growth during these vital formative years?
• Dedicate time to read to your child daily. Ask questions about the pictures and characters in the story;
Spend time outdoors, exploring nature.
• Discuss colors, shapes, numbers, sizes, and counting with your child.
• Assist your child in acquiring new vocabulary to foster linguistic growth;
Create a learning space at home where they can play, draw or be creative;
• Recognize their emotions and offer support to foster their emotional growth;
Organize playdates with other kids to foster the growth of their social abilities;
• Invest in your child’s future by enroll them in a quality ECD programme for at least two years.
The writers, Mahmoud Sayani and Doreen Kaumi, are from Aga Khan Education Services, Uganda
EmoticonEmoticon