How Education Affects Early Child Development

Promoting Cognitive Development

• Cognitive development refers to the way a child thinks about, perceives and understands his world by using memory, reasoning, problem-solving and decision-making skills. Kelvin L. Seifert with the University of Manitoba states that a child̵7;s ability to distinguish between imaginary and real objects or assume imaginary roles are cognitive achievements that encourage self-awareness. Preschool programs support a child̵7;s cognitive development by giving him opportunities to explore, pretend and play in a safe environment. The educational opportunities presented to a young child help him develop logic and reasoning skills. For example, as he plays with blocks, the child learns about colors and begins to count. By attending a preschool program, a youngster participates in advanced forms of play that may not be available at home. A child who doesn̵7;t have such an opportunity may experience slower cognitive development.

Increase in Language Skills

• Children who participate in early education programs may develop more language skills than those who do not, according to Isaacs in a publication for the Brookings Institute. The programs teach a child to pronounce words, the meaning of different words, identify letters and write. As a child develops cognitive skills, she gains greater literacy and phonemic awareness, according to Seifert. While a 3- or 4-year-old may not know how to write because letters seem like images that represent a word, she may use scribbles that represent what she̵7;s trying to communicate. As a child̵7;s brain develops, she̵7;ll learn to associate letters with words. If a child doesn̵7;t attend an early education program, she may not know her letters and numbers as well as the other students, which could delay her literacy skills.

Supporting Social Development

• Playing with other children in a classroom setting allows a kid to observe the behavior of others and formulate a response, according to Seifert. Group activities and circle time enforce the ideas of listening, empathy, taking turns and sharing. As he plays, the child learns how to interpret nonverbal cues such as frowns and smiles. Role-playing helps a preschooler develop better metacognition and the ability to reflect during social encounters. Isaacs reports that kids ages 3 and under in Early Head Start programs are more engaging with parents and less aggressive. A child who doesn̵7;t attend an early childhood program may have a difficult time playing well with others if he̵7;s not be familiar with social norms and or doesn̵7;t know how to interpret nonverbal cues.

Aiding Physical Development

• It is common for early childhood education programs to include nutrition and preventive health components for parents who teach about healthy diets and wellness for children. By educating parents, a program encourages the health, safety and physical development of its students. The activities, toys and play equipment offered at early education programs promote the development of large and fine motor skills. Large motor abilities relate to activities such as throwing, balancing and jumping. Fine motor skills help a child button a shirt, write and pick up smaller objects. Depending on a child̵7;s socioeconomic status, he may not have access to the same toys or safe play environments at home, making his preschool the only place in his life that promotes physical development. Without this opportunity, he may have a harder time with tasks that the other kids already know how to do, such as tying shoelaces, holding a pencil or balancing on one foot.