Early Childhood Education - Guest Post

Early Childhood Education – Certified Early Childhood Education Fills the Gaps

If you are able to be a stay-at-home parent in America today, you are among the truly fortunate. With thirty years of economic policies that have decimated the middle class, the majority of American households today require two incomes, meaning that young children must usually be relegated to child care facilities or preschools.

While many parents may think it's unfair to the child to sent them to a preschool, or that if they do they're lacking a parent-child bonding experience, there are benefits to enrolling them as well. The experience of learning in a school setting during the early years can be a valuable supplement to a child's experience at a time when the brain is being shaped and developed.

SPICE

Social, Physical, Intellectual, Creative and Emotion. These are 5 areas of development that very few non-education majors are aware of, meaning many parents may pass it by as well. While there is arguably no substitute for a loving parent-child relationship and daily interactions – but scientific methodology has an important place. This is where trained, certified early childhood educators can "fill the gaps" when it comes to a young child's development.

Social development involves the way a child relates to others and functions in a group setting. The way a child learns to play with others is very crucial. Even for those with siblings, the importance of socialization in a structure environment should be observed at a young age.

Physical development refers to building motor skills, from the gross (basic movements such as walking and running) to the fine (such as holding a writing implement).

Intellectual development is achieved through structured play, and of course means development of language and math skills as well as the child's innate sense of curiosity and wonder; a key to success in school later on.

Creative development addresses artistic talents in visual arts, music, storytelling and even theatrics. It is the foundation self-expression and problem solving, it also expands their curiosity leaves, which later obviously leads to better creative thinking.

Emotional development has to do with the development of maturity and self awareness. Without a sense of self, including self confidence and the discipline to deal with one's own emotional responses, a child will have difficulty functioning in society later in life.

The Professional Advantage

It is likely that most parents are aware of these developmental domains on an instinctive level. And while for some it may not make sense or may be impossible to send your child to a child care facility, you can still take into consideration SPICE and have an impact and your child's development. However, certified preschool educators are trained in the scientific theory and methodology that can make the difference between a child succeeding – and succeeding brilliantly.

Co-written by Emily Patterson and Kathleen Thomas
Emily and Kathleen are Communications Coordinators for the network of Atlanta child care facilities belonging to the AdvancED® accredited family of Primrose educational child care schools. Primrose Schools are located in 16 states throughout the U.S. and are dedicated to delivering progressive, early childhood, Balanced Learning® curriculum throughout their preschools.

Mr. Handy Man

Did you know my guy could build things?

He's pretty handy to have around.

He can cook, clean, help with laundry, chop down a tree without a chainsaw, fix a vehicle, spray paint like a tagger and MAKE me presents.

We like to cook, both of us rummaging through the kitchen, listening to music, having a drink and laughing, it's one of our favorite times together.

We have a plethora of spices and one small spice cabinet. After 5 months of living together it became too much for him. He took out some wood, measured, sanded and took my 14 year old son outside to hammer and make noise.

The space before - Bare and not attractive

The framework is done


Putting up the finished product


It is done! Very pretty huh? You should see it FULL of spices!

Needless to say I'm a happy, happy woman. I can find my spices and cooking is much easier when I'm not throwing spices into the sink when they fall out of the cabinet. Now we have fresh spices on the windowsill (Rosemary and Thyme) along with our shelf of spices!