Building a Base The Importance of Early Childhood Education

Building a strong foundation layer by layer prepares us for a lifetime of learning. Foundational layers begin their construction in early childhood, hence the importance of early childhood education.

Maria Montessori and Jean Piaget were two of the early theorists of education and child development. Both believed that children develop in a sequential order. As the child acquires experience, this naturally leads to further knowledge and, therefore, more development and learning. Montessori believed that children instinctively know what their minds and bodies need to learn and grow.

exploration is one of the best basic skills an adult can nurture. As children learn through exploration, handling an object, the child will notice things like its size and shape, maybe its colour or texture. Therefore, an emphasis is placed on diversifying a child’s experiences with a variety of materials in a variety of environments.

“The child gives us a beautiful lesson – that in order to form and maintain our intelligence, we must use our hands. ” -

Montessori

“We must understand that anything which animates the child is a help to his development.” -

Montessori

With careful observation, early childhood educators can identify a child’s interests, what they instinctively gravitate towards, and then provide concentric activities and experiences. They allow and encourage curiosity and respect the child’s innate sense. Helping children to satisfy curiosity through

Through movement of their bodies, exploration of objects and materials with hands on manipulation, children discover a variety of ways to react to stimuli in their surroundings. Sensory activities can strengthen sensory related synapses and functions in the brain which, in turn, is essential for creating a strong cognitive foundation. One of the first theorists of sensory play, Jean Piaget, proposed that children need stimuli in their environment to guide their cognitive development. Maria Montessori deduced the same. She noted that sensorial materials encourage children to focus on purposeful activity, further allowing them to become independent and discover their own interests through self-directed learning. out of preschool where they may be faced with more transitions and distractions. Educators encourage focus in the early years by allowing only one activity to be worked on at a time. In the Montessori preschool, trays are arranged with the exact number of parts and the appropriate tools that promote success and completion. Simple concise step by step lessons teach children how to follow instructions. may be perfected. It is only logical that a child must walk if he is to do this.”

Order of the classroom lends itself to the appreciation of everything in its place which, for self-directed learning, creates a predictable and safe place to explore, expand and create. Children learn that it is their responsibility to keep their classroom in order. Throughout the day you can hear them remind each other if something is left out or if it’s been returned to a different spot. One of my co-workers and mentors always said that when the room was neat and organized the children could then “think with an organized mind”. Freedom to move and choose for themselves within the classroom also operates within the guidelines that include respect for themselves, others and the environment. Montessori labeled this “freedom within limits”. Respect for others includes allowing others to work on their own chosen tasks for as long as they like without disturbing their concentration.

The Montessori prepared environment includes the Sensorial area which is home to material such as the Pink Tower, Broad (Brown) Stair, Long (Red) Rods and more. The children must walk back and forth carrying the pieces one at a time which means 10 trips to and from the shelf to their work mat on the floor. While this seems less efficient when more than one piece could be managed, each trip with a larger, heavier or longer piece helps the child discern the differences. Developmental learning happens physically by walking, balancing with objects but also in the areas of sensorial discrimination.

Montessori

Exploring and playing outdoors provides larger areas to move the body. It is crucial for children to develop gross motor skills, developing the vestibular system (inner ear/balance) and proprioception (body position awareness) which hones the sense of spatial orientation. Gross and fine motor coordination is essential for child development.

Time spent concentrating on an activity in a prepared environment fosters focus. Focus takes on a more crucial role as children age