Early Childhood Education: How Has It Grown over the Years?

Since time immemorial, education has transcended generations, sometimes in stereotypical ways. However, as time progressed and knowledge became more complex, human beings created a multifaceted education system comprising of an array of professionally trained individuals working with a range of students. Within that framework, were certain practices that have subsisted for over a century. These practices include the use of blackboards, theoretical exams, grading and also the curriculum pertaining to different courses.

The education system in the United States has a crotchet going on, making it extremely generalized wherein each child has to pass through the same series of levels to finally be called educated. This problem of ‘generalizing intelligence’ has defeated the whole purpose of education, which was to teach, assist and support children so that they can reach their potential and enjoy the education that is being imparted.

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The early years of the child are postulated to be the most significant years in his/her cognitive and emotional growth. The skills and knowledge gained during this period become the foundation of the child’s adult intelligence. Hence, it is extremely important to equip children with the tools they need to learn these skills. However, what has to be kept in mind is that every child is cognitively different from the other. While some children may have stronger linguistic intelligence, others may be more inclined towards music while still others could be mathematically inclined.

Unfortunately, most institutions and parents in the United States give precedence only to linguistic and logical-mathematical intelligence. In fact, our society as a whole grades kids according to this prejudice, considering the linguistically/mathematically intelligent kids as smarter. The truth is, every child is built with different sets of strengths and weaknesses and has the potential to be successful in different walks of life. Also, an education pattern that may work for one child may not necessarily work for the other. Therefore, there is a need for a customized approach.

The new early childhood education courses for aspiring teachers are dedicated to altering conventions and revamping the system to make it more children friendly. It aims at developing programs that cater to the varying needs of the children, in turn, helping them reach their highest potential.

The idea behind such educational programs are to teach strategies to teachers that can help them decide the starting point for the children and continuously help them raise the standard for themselves. The teachers are taught how to enhance a child’s self-confidence by exposing him/her to their strengths rather than making them blindly compete with their fellow mates.

The main objective of students should be to become the best they can be by setting the bar higher each time they reach a particular goal. This makes the children do well as they recognize that they are their only competition and that they have the power to decide the pace of their own education and set their own goals.

Hence, parents should be open to changes and recognize the importance of making learning easy for their children. When the flow of information coming to the children is through a stream that is easy for them to grasp, children will learn and catch up quickly.