Taking good care of our children is not only an act of love and duty. It’s an actual investment into their future, which can have impacts on all aspects of their lives.
This is because the first five years have a huge influence on their development. Their sense of self-confidence and emotional literacy are highly affected during this time, and if not properly taken care of, could cause everlasting harm that can spread in different sectors of their adult lives.
Also, finding the right environment plays a pivotal role in this continuing development. In daycare and preschool settings, children encounter new social dynamics, develop early friendships, and engage in play-based learning.
What is at Stake for the First Five Years?
By providing the right environment—one that is safe, stimulating, and loving—parents can help shape their child’s future in a meaningful way.
Children learn to trust, explore, and interact with the world, which directly impacts their self-confidence, emotional literacy, and resilience.
Supporting a child’s development through educational experiences is equally crucial. While parental involvement is foundational, early childhood education also plays a key role in fostering a child’s growth.
The Importance of Early Childhood Development
To say children are little absorbing sponges is an understatement of the complexity that’s taking place in their heads during their first five years.
During these first years, they are growing their sense of self, of the world around them, what is safe, or pleasant, and what isn’t. What actions bring good consequences and which doesn’t.
This period of experimentation is not only paramount for their development but also because it bears life-long repercussions.
Various studies connect cognitive and emotional learning during the first five years to a greater likelihood of beneficial traits as adults, such as good emotional and physical health, social skills, and cognitive-linguistic abilities.
What is Going On During the First Five Years?
A strong investment and stimulation during their first 60 months also has its reasons why: our brains are not fully developed when we are born. During these 60 months, children’s brains are growing rapidly and creating connections, resulting in about a million synapses every second.
This accelerated brain function is a one-in-a-lifetime thing because it won’t happen again for the rest of our days!
As we grow past five years of age, our brain activity does not cease, naturally. However, the maturing brain is capable of learning and assuming more complex functions, as well as processing and adapting to challenges.
The ultimate meaning of that is: to shape a baby’s brain by giving it the right stimulation during the first five years is easier than trying to “influence” this neural architecture later on in life, like during adulthood.
How Parents Can Support Their Child’s Development
The best parents can do is create a loving, stimulating, and safe environment for their children.
These are the basics so they have proper opportunities to explore their physical capabilities and feel secure to start crawling, standing up, and eventually walking.
A stimulating ambiance means creating opportunities for them to explore objects that surround them – as long as they are age-appropriate. Make sure to offer engaging toys for your Little One as they grow.
Although we want to let the imagination flow, children can’t be left alone for too long, especially during such an important development stage. Family time together is not only cozy, but it’s also important to build trust and affection.
Additionally, when parents use time together to read stories, sing songs, or play with their kids, they are also helping to develop those millions of brain connections we’ve mentioned.
The Role of Education in the Early Age
As much as parents have a determinant role in influencing the Little One’s love and learning experiences during their first five years, this work is not done exclusively at home.
When children go to daycare and preschool, they find more than play buddies and new toys. The right educational facility can also have a significant influence on your child’s learning experience.
These environments offer structured yet playful settings that enable kids to explore their potential while learning essential skills like communication, problem-solving, and teamwork.
Valuing the Learning Experience in the First Five Years
During their time in the daycare, children have a world of discovery right in front of them. They meet new people; learn new games; listen to different voices and accents; see how colleagues interact with each other; develop feelings and their first friendships in life might take place.
Just imagine how big of an excitement they get out of all of this. Picture how all of these experiences will pile up and eventually become emotional and social baggage.
What’s more interesting about all of this is that it is achieved through the right strategies like learning through play.
The Best Start of Your Kid’s Educational Journey
Caring for your child’s well-being in their first five years is an investment. This is the time when they will build the emotional and cognitive foundation that will set the stage for the learning experience they’ll have throughout their lives.
At AEA, you have a partner to boost your efforts. Our educational methodology aims to help children grow a love for learning, create meaningful relationships, and feel ready to explore their full potential as they grow.
Find out about our STEAM-based methodology by scheduling a visit at the nearest unit!
