Building a solid foundation of education?

Question

Earlier tonight, another parent who raised three kids told me it is a good idea to provide as best an education as possible for pre-school and kindergarten (i.e., try to afford the expensive schools) in order to create a solid foundation for future learning. Afterwards, public versus private schools are less of an issue because the child would be more likely to flourish either way.

Previously, I had asked a similar question regarding whether it is already important to consider options education-wise for a 2-year old. The most profound answer was at this age to invest my time; and, save the money for later. But, now, I'm wondering whether this either conflicts or adds to my parenting role.

Answer 1

I couldn't disagree more. That may be fine for her family, but I bet the majority of people would tell you otherwise. Building a solid foundation of learning is first allowing them to learn about things that are interesting to them in their own time and not the schools time so they can have a positive experience and want to contuinue to learn. Why do you see so many children doing porrly in schools? They are being forcefed things that they have no interest in and the Teachers don't have the time to spend with them one and one. I think the best early education you can give your child is at home with a parent that will spend quality time with them.

I actually feel sorry for these children that are forced into the system at such an early age. Society as a whole thinks "Schools" are an acceptable way of learning and I can tell you that most of them aren't an acceptable way of learning. Children learn best from caring parents that truly want to raise their own children. Not push them into some high and mighty school that might actually smother their potential.

This lady couldn't have it more wrong.

Answer 2

A solid foundation for education, does not come down to which costs more. It comes down to the calibre of both the teacher and the parents. You need to look at how "solid foundation" is defined in regard to early years education, and what it means. The foundations for learning do not consist of ABC's, but developing inquisitive minds, building self esteem, so that they feel confident to "have a go" at new things, to seek out information, to learn how to listen attentively and how to focus on a task, to learn how to interact with others in a positive and appropriate manner. Can money buy these things? The answer is no! Time, patience and active participation develop these things.

The advantages of sending your child to an expensive school further down the track include, but are not limited to having the latest technologies at their fingertips, developing those social networks/connections for later on in business, and having work opportunity "doors" opened to them because they went to the "right" school.

Having said that, there are plenty of people who receive an excellent education in the public school system as well.

If the foundations are not set in their early formative years, it won't matter which type of schooling they receive, as they may not flourish in either environment!

Answer 3

The best way to build a solid educational foundation for your child is to allow them to progress in a developmentally appropriate way. 2 year olds need to learn to be independent and trust in the world around them. Invest your time and create a safe and secure home environment for them. There is plenty of time for structured education as they grow older. They will learn many essential skills simply by being allowed to progress at their own pace and develop a strong sense of who they are.

Answer 4

As a parent there are only two things you need to teach your kids ... how to work and how to love.

Start with home chores ... take all of the things you do around the house ... slow down the process and bring them in on it.  In the big picture they want only one thing ... to be with Mom and Dad.  Warning - this is no time to delegate or asign ... this is all about doing things together.

TV - a well rounded education can be easily simulated with a childhood of educational TV.  

Get them a library card !!!

Keep their possesions to a minimum ... having everything doesnt make your life better, just more complicated.

Lastly, if you want to do something to help their education ... help them find their dreams.  You can save all the money in the world for them and send them to all the right schools, but if they have no dream, no passion for life it will be a hollow effort at best.

Answer 5

Here in the UK things work slightly differently to over there, when a child goes to school b4 3 years than have their own kind of education( if you want to call it that) it is called the birth to 3 matters.It teaches in four main areas

A strong child

A skillful communicator

A competent learner

A healthy child

More info is on

www.surestart.gov.uk/ensurindquality/b...

Hope this helps with some answers as to what a child can learn in education so young !

Answer 6

I agree with the person that told you to invest in your time and save money for later. I think the best thing you can do for your child is to set an example. It seems to me that children who have parents that are educated and successful, end up being well educated and successful themselves.

Answer 7

the best education u can give your child is confidence and social skills.  they are the two personality traits of utmost importance to go about living a well balanced life.  what good is a child if they can read and write by the age of four when they have no friends and aren't happy.  cover those two traits and the rest will come....... children have their whole personality by the age of five so it is in these important years that they soak everything in.....

Answer 8

I found that my child was not ready for formal schooling until the age of 4, but at 3 she could have very well entered a bilingual language program.  Her mind was more advanced then her actions so I held her back.

Schooling at 2 years old sounds a little odd.  I believe that you should be the first and foremost foundation for your child, giving them something fun to be interested in.  Remember, you have to remain interested as well or your boredom will quickly brush off on them.

You sound genuinely interested in the teaching of your child and this is probably the first and foremost factor in how your child is going to learn.  Use each moment as a teaching moment.  The best way I found was to bombard them with questions (kid-level and age appropriate) on almost anything that I would see, even if mundane.

Of course, my child now does the same back to me, asking me almost endless questions on almost everything, even if mundane.  But what was ingrained was the desire to ask and subsequently learn about the world around them.

There is plenty you can do now without having to spend any money at all.  Look at your immediate surroundings and use this as their first classroom.  Take care.

Answer 9

I took a seminar and learned that research shows that High income children and low income children did just as well in the same setting, its about children's experiences outside of the classroom at home witht their families, meaning that the higher income children were exposed to different activities, zoo's, horseback riding, skiing, a trip to the farm, trips to other states/countries,  etc. Low income children's families  could not afford these trips. Children learn through experience- Give them every opportunity you can.

As for Who told you that you should invest your time and money for later- well was a fool.!!!!   CHILDREN LEARN MORE IN THE FIRST SIX YEARS OF THEIR LIFE THAN ANY OTHER TIME!!!!!!  When looking for a program - look for one that gives your child experience's in different areas not just centering on just one. Ask about the curriculum, the field trips, parent involvement, Is their a parent board that you could sit in on.

Best Wishes.

Answer 10

children ages 2 to 7 experience in education and learning gages how they will learn for the rest of their lives

good quality ( not meaning $$) and quantity of time shared with child in a learning environment during this time is the most beneficial way to build a foundation as it will set the pace for how they receive, process and utilize information and the development of the capacity of these that will last a lifetime it is also believed that children during preschool years that are exposed to a peer group learning environment develop better social skills and learn to participate and contribute in a group setting which will aid them when they enter the elementary school level

if you can afford to but not nessacarily need to have the child in a daycare/preschool facility, it would be a good idea to have him go a few days  a week to get in those social skills and learn other things from his peers, like communicating and sharing and participating in a group sometimes even talking improves because instead of a grown up always talking to and prompting a child for a response they will communicate with each other.

It's definitley a three sided relationship between the parent(s) child and care taker to reinforce the development together and consistantly, It's not about spending money it's about finding the best combination for the child