The Importance of Early Childhood Education | Blessed Sacrament Huguenot School

by Wendy Lipscomb, Director of Early Learners, The Blessed Sacrament Huguenot School

A child’s brain develops faster from birth to age 5 than at any other times in their lives. In fact, 90% of brain development occurs before a child enters kindergarten, and studies show that this development has a lasting impact on a child’s ability to learn and succeed in school and life. Parents can take advantage of the early childhood years by encouraging as much development as possible. One way to do this is by enrolling your child in a quality early childhood education program, where educators are trained to nurture social, developmental and cognitive skills. 
 
Improved Social Skills
 
Learning to play and interact with others is a life competency that starts in the early childhood years. Children’s social skills increase the likelihood of stronger academic skills and build a foundation of learning in the early years.
There are many important social skills children will gain in an early learners program, but some of the most important include: communication, cooperation, assertion, responsibility, problem-solving, empathy and easing separation.
 
Link to Continuing Education and Greater Success in Life
 
Another significant benefit of an early childhood education is that it builds a love of learning and discovery that lasts well past the preschool years. Research shows that high-quality early childhood education is a powerful means to promote continued success in school, in the workplace, and beyond.
 
As early learner students continue on to elementary school and beyond, they face fewer academic problems which leads to a lower chance of repeating grades or needing special education placement. Notably, early learner students are 25% more likely to graduate from high school and 4 times more likely to complete college. Once these children do graduate, they tend to learn more in the workforce. 
 
What to Look For 
 
There is an overwhelming amount of research proving the importance of early childhood education. Children build a foundation for higher learning with an introduction to concepts and skills including letter and number recognition, socialization, creative movement, handwriting, math, literacy and more in strong early learning programs When selecting the best fit for your child, it’s important not only to consider a fun, safe and loving environment – but also to look for a program that can give your child the added advantage of growing from unique learning experiences in the areas of art, music, library, world language and STEAM. 
 
Regardless of what your own child care needs are, you can be sure that a quality early learner experience like the one offered at Blessed Sacrament Huguenot School will have a positive and lasting social & developmental effect.