Child’s play is more than just play. In numerous studies, researchers have found that playful behaviour is an important, if not critical, method of early learning. When children play in a safe, comfortable environment, it gives them the opportunity to learn creative problem-solving, social skills and language.
Cognitive stimulation and teaching children how to read, to understand numbers and to develop knowledge of the world around them is an equally important aspect of early development as is play. Cognitive maturity, especially during the Kindergarten years, can be a predictor of a child’s academic and social success in later years.
FOUR WAYS TO ENSURE HEALTHY BRAIN DEVELOPMENT
In our Private Kindergarten and Preschool programs in Burlington, we believe strongly in the combination of play and teaching in fostering children’s learning. The four ideas outlined below will assist children to develop their brains and a lifelong love of learning.
1. Talk, Sing and Read. From infants through to primary school, children need to be exposed to songs, rhymes and stories. Encourage Infants and Toddlers to answer questions by pointing to pictures and to repeating rhymes and songs. At the Pre-School stage, it is critical that children learn the sounds of different letters. In Kindergarten, children need to be taught how to segment and blend sounds, which lead children to read words, then sentences, and finally to read simple books.
2. Explore, Experiment and Play. Interactive and independent skills are developed through self- exploration and free play. Building, art, make-believe and outside play help children develop curiosity and language. Team projects, group games and sports enhance social skills and problem-solving. Parents and caregivers alike need to provide time for both independent and social activities.
3. A Warm, Loving, Responsive Environment. Children who receive warm and responsive care get along better with other children and perform better in school than children who receive rigid care in their early developmental years. However, we know that children will not always be “good” even within a warm environment. But, they will understand limits better when they are taught about appropriate behaviour in a positive way as opposed to punishment and strictly negative communication.
4. Choose quality child care. If you need child care, choose a program that has teachers who have great empathy for young children. Also, choose a program that has a curriculum that includes the important core elements of phonetics, learning to read, teaching basic math skills and general knowledge. The objective should be to graduate children into primary school with the foundational learning skills that will lead to long-term success.
BRANT CHILDREN’S CENTRE: OUR UNIQUE APPROACH
All our programs at Brant, from infants, through preschool and Kindergarten, are designed to enhance a child’s learning experience and prepare them for entry into primary school in Burlington. We focus on language and literacy, mathematics and STEM projects, and a range of enrichment activities that enhance brain development and learning potential.
Brant Children’s Centre’s private Kindergarten in Burlington offers an academic program in small classes to help your child grow at an affordable price. Call today!