Parents often place their young children in a daycare, preschool or pre-kindergarten program. These programs are typically run by those with early childhood education certification. These programs offer more than just playtime. Early childhood education serves as a way to transition your child from home to school. Before you choose an ECE program, ensure that your goals for your child align with the goals of the facility.
Social Skills
A child enrolled in an ECE program like preschool has the chance to interact with children her own age. Your child will learn conflict management, problem solving skills and proper behavior when she spends time with other children. Your goal as a parent or as an educator should be to show children the right way to interact with each other, through manners, sharing, problem solving and spending time together, notes the North Central Regional Educational Laboratory. These skills will serve your child well when it's time for elementary school.
Assessment
You may not realize that your child has a learning disability or social problem until he's properly placed in an ECE program. Structured programs give teachers and parents a chance to assess each child's strengths and weaknesses. A good ECE program should strive to seek out each child's talents and find ways to teach to his weaknesses to create a well-rounded student. An ECE teacher observes each child, and may talk to you about your child's development and improvement throughout the year, points out the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.
School Readiness
One of the most important goals of an ECE program should be to get children ready to transition into elementary school, notes the U.S. Department of Education. ECE programs should help children prepare to learn by teaching basic concepts like letters, colors and numbers. While reading skills may not be an issue with younger children, listening skills will be important for your child's future. It also gives children a chance to separate from parents so that kindergarten isn't as much of a shock.
Schedule and Structure
ECE programs should teach children about the importance of schedule and structure. At home, a child may have all day to do whatever she wishes, but in an ECE program, she'll learn about following a schedule and her managing time. When she transitions to kindergarten, your child will be better prepared to manage the structure of her day as she listens to her teacher and follows instructions based on her daily school structure.
