“Enjoy Being Four”
An educator and one of my favorite authors, Jim Trelease, once said:
“The primary purpose of being four is to enjoy being four; of secondary importance is to prepare for being five.”
The Role of Family in Early Childhood
Many years ago, children started school at age six. Until then, they stayed home with siblings, grandparents, and parents. Family values, mother tongue, social-emotional development, culture, and manners were the first lessons children learned. These experiences formed their foundation for life.
Children were also free to play and simply be children. They explored, imagined, and enjoyed the world around them.
The Rise of Childcare Facilities
As more women began working outside the home, families asked: who will take care of the children? Initially, grandparents stepped in. But relocating for better economic opportunities forced parents to seek other options—childcare facilities.
What started as a solution has now become a multibillion-dollar industry. Early childhood development and childcare alone is about a $50 billion industry.
Innovations in Childcare
Since parents invest so much money, they want results. Childcare centers responded with innovative ideas: college prep schools, Montessori, Handwriting Without Tears, and extended hours from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Even though these programs are impressive, child development needs have not changed. Children still need to be with family or a loved one to meet their most important needs. They thrive in small groups with low student-to-teacher ratios. They need simple lessons taught with attention and care.
Preserving the Essence of Childhood
Parents often demand the best for their children, which drives childcare centers to introduce more innovations. While this captures the market, it sometimes ignores the essence of childhood.
Children naturally live in the moment. They do not dwell on the past or worry about the future. Even when we complicate their childhood with too many activities or colors, they adapt with happy faces. Society pressures them to chase success and perfection, but children are perfect in their own way.
How are you preparing your preschool children?
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