The Importance of Education

One of my readers, a firm believer in the importance of a good education, sent this article to me. I've read through it and wanted to share it. I know the value of an education, even if I can't decide what I want to study for myself. Enjoy!

""SPICE" Needed To Fill The Gaps

If you are lucky enough to be a stay-at-home parent in America today, you are among the truly fortunate. With thirty years of economic policies that have decimated the middle class, the majority of American households today require two incomes, meaning that young children must usually be relegated to child care facilities.

While some parents may want to stay at home to develop that parent-child bond, young children can greatly benefit tremendously from attendance a certified preschool, operated by trained, certified early childhood educators. The experience of learning in a school setting during the early years can be a valuable supplement to a child's experience at a time when the brain is being shaped and developed.

SPICE

So now we come to SPICE- Social, Physical, Intellectual, Creative and Emotional. While there is arguably no substitute for a loving parent-child relationship and daily interactions the scientific methodology has an important place. This is where trained, certified early childhood educators can "fill the gaps" when it comes to a young child's development.

Social development involves the way a child relates to others and functions in a group setting. If you are among the increasing number of parents choosing to limit their family size to one child, the importance of socialization in a structured environment becomes apparent.

Physical development refers to building motor skills, from the gross (basic movements such as walking and running) to the fine (such as holding a writing implement). Not only is important as to whether they can perform these tasks but it's how they do the, do they put one foot in front of the other when walking? When holding a pen, they put sufficient pressure on it? Many crucial areas of critique that are often overlooked.

Intellectual development is achieved through structured play, and of course means development of language and math skills as well as the child's innate sense of curiosity and wonder; A vital area of development that is central to success in school later on.

Creative development helps to really development the intellectual area as well. More specifically it addresses artistic talents in visual arts, music, storytelling and even theatrics. Creativity is the foundation self-expression and problem solving and it is arguable that without creativity, there would be no innovation nor entrepreneurship.

Emotional development, while often overlooked, is just as equally important as the other developmental areas. Without a sense of self, including self confidence and the discipline to deal with one's own emotional responses, a child will have difficulty functioning in society later in life.

The Professional Advantage

While most parents are aware of these developmental areas on an instinctive level, they may not really be aware of how to help their children through these learning stages. However, certified preschool educators are trained in the scientific theory and methodology that can make the difference between a child succeeding – and succeeding brilliantly.

Co-written by Emily Patterson and Kathleen Thomas
Emily and Kathleen are Communications Coordinators for the network of Texas child care facilities belonging to the AdvancED® accredited family of Primrose educational child care schools. Primrose Schools are located in 16 states throughout the U.S. and are dedicated to delivering progressive, early childhood, Balanced Learning® curriculum throughout their preschools."