Research has shown that the first five years of a child’s life are extremely important, as 90% of brain development takes place during this period. It is important to understand this phenomenon a little in detail. A newborn baby has all the brain cells that the baby will have for the rest of his life. What then happens till age 5? The connections between these cells are formed at breakneck speed during this stage. These connections are what is required for several higher-level activities, such as self-regulation, problem-solving, and more. In turn, it is the amount and quality of care, stimulation, and interaction they receive in their early years that makes all the difference.
This is what makes early childhood education extremely important. Positive interactions, the right stimulation and more, offered to children go a long way in positively impacting their child’s early brain development and their long-term success.
The choice of the right playschool plays an extremely important role in ensuring this. Preschools that follow a scientifically developed curriculum go a long way in ensuring the holistic development of the child. If you are looking for the right preschool for your child, here is a handy list of the top 5 preschools to choose from.
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1. Footprints
Set up by IIT-IIM alumni, Footprints has quickly emerged as a parenting partner for parents across the country. The school is known to follow the scientifically developed HighScope curriculum. With evidence gathered through extensive research over 50 years, the HighScope research reveals that children who receive the right early education are better prepared for school, show self-regulation, are well adjusted civically, find stable employment and more.
The strength of the HighScope curriculum lies in the fact that it not only offers a rich academic foundation but also empowers children with essential life skills such as:
- Decision Making
- Creativity
- Problem-Solving, and more
Besides the strength of its curriculum, Footprints is also known for its world-class teacher:student ratio that offers the child personalized attention. Parents also prefer the schools because they offer them complete peace of mind with the availability of live CCTV footage. Above all, it is the holistic approach to child development that makes it a favourite with parents.
2. Kangaroo Kids
The chain of preschools is known for its pedagogy and learner-centric approach. The fluidic learning approach brings together learning stimulation and the learner’s needs and attitudes. Learning is based on the latest theories, brain research, and best practices in education. The schools are known for their safe and learner-friendly environment.
3. Kidzee
A chain of preschools located in India and Nepal, it is known for its expert educators, safe and secure environment, and holistic learning. The school is known for its child-centric approach and play-based learning.
4. EuroKids Preschool
With a whole lot of preschools across India, EuroKids Preschool blends Montessori and Waldorf teaching methods. Its curriculum includes a variety of activities, such as dance and music, to enhance a child’s overall development.
5. Shemrock
Known for their pan India presence, Shemrock schools offer a stimulating learning environment where children can learn and grow. Their special learning areas, dedicated team of teachers, daily routine and activities offer a conducive learning environment.
Making the right choice for preschool
Since the choice of a preschool is critical in the overall growth and development of the child, it is essential to make this decision carefully. Some of the aspects to look for closely include:
Proximity
Young children cannot be spending too much time commuting. A key hygiene factor, therefore, is that the school is close by and does not involve a commute that leaves the child with no energy.
Scientific Curriculum
Do check to see if the school follows a scientific curriculum that will help the child’s holistic development. It will also be good to look out for the founders’ backgrounds and approach to education. This approach will eventually reflect in the choice of teachers, the kind of training offered to them, and more.
Safety
Needless to say this is a crucial consideration. You need to look for the kind of safety measures that are in place, including whether they allow visitors, what are the dispersal guidelines, and whether the staff credentials have been verified. An important aspect to watch out for is also whether or not they make live CCTV footage available to parents.
Adult:Child ratio
Once again this is an important aspect to look for since a young child thrives on personalized attention
Nutritious Menu
Make sure to see that the child is being served a nutritious menu that has no space for junk food. We tend to develop our relationship with food early, so this is an important area to look out for.
Parent testimonials
Last but definitely not the least do speak to other parents to see what their experience has been. It will also be a good idea to visit the school yourself and experience the environment first hand. You will be able to see the kind of safety measures they have, what the level of hygiene is, whether or not the school is childproof, and more. If you get the child to visit the school after your preliminary research, the child will also get a fair idea of what to expect, and settling down will be fairly easy.
It is important to remember that what happens in the first 5 years of life tends to have an impact throughout life. From being a marker of how the child will perform in school to whether or not he will have an involvement with the criminal justice system in adolescence, there is a lot that the first 5 years of life tend to impact. It therefore helps to be focussed on children at this stage and making the right choices.
Here’s to giving the child the best start in life and making the first five years count!
Do tune in to this space for more such informative content. At Pragyanam, we are committed to the overall growth and development of every child. Our focus is to equip them not just with the necessary academic skills but also the much needed life skills that help them tackle the twists and turns of life. As they say, let us prepare the child for the road, not the road for the child.
