| Learning is a part of our lives and this education | | | | they have had. For example, a child who may be |
| helps us to achieve the various dreams and goals | | | | going to daycare for the first time may practice |
| that we have set our sights on. This learning | | | | leaving her baby doll at a pretend daycare. The |
| process begins from the time that we are babies. | | | | act is helpful, but the conversations they have of |
| The solid foundations for social interaction and | | | | telling the doll that "mommy will be back very |
| education start during the preschool days. At | | | | soon" will help them later to deal with their fears |
| these places children follow a preschool curriculum | | | | of being left. Encourage this type of play. |
| that allows them to play and learn at the same | | | | Child's play through the years changes even more |
| time. | | | | so. During preschool and kindergarten, one of the |
| In the various preschools that can be found there | | | | best ways to teach a child is through stories and |
| are different activities for children. These activities | | | | pictures. They learn to interact with each other as |
| are designed to stimulate the mental and creative | | | | well as with the outside world. For example, set |
| abilities of children. It is at these places that your | | | | the stage for a great adventure story. Read |
| child will have the beginnings of their formative | | | | them the story during the morning hours. Then, |
| education. | | | | give them a few ideas and let them act out the |
| Lessons from books are great, but children learn | | | | story in their own way. You can teach many of |
| through play far better than they do in other | | | | the fundamentals in this manner, everything from |
| forms. There are several reasons for this. At the | | | | manners to helping those in need. |
| heart of it is their desire to learn. When learning is | | | | Other activities to encourage helping children learn |
| not so much work but is fun, children are more | | | | through play include: |
| willing to participate. They want to jump in and | | | | • Craft projects: they explore their talents and |
| have a good time. As a parent, the more that | | | | explore texture, dimension, color and shapes |
| you can teach through play, the more that your | | | | • Dance: They explore their physical bodies and |
| child will retain later on. While some skills need to | | | | stay physically fit |
| be taught formally, such as math facts and | | | | • Building with blocks: Everything from wooden |
| reading, there are still great ways to teach | | | | blocks to Lego's helps children to learn structure, |
| through play. | | | | dimension, balance, and help them to grow their |
| Children learn through various methods, but often | | | | imagination. |
| their physical and social world teaches them the | | | | • Drawing: Use various types of mediums |
| most. Even small infants learn this way. Parents | | | | from paints to pencil to help them to learn |
| can enhance a young child's learning process by | | | | numbers, letters, shapes and much more |
| giving them a variety of ways to learn through | | | | These activities can incorporate other skills, too. |
| sight, touch, taste and smell. For infants, play the | | | | For example, perhaps an art project can center |
| games that children love, such as peek a boo and | | | | around a specific letter of the alphabet. Do not be |
| other interactions that teach cause and effect. It | | | | elaborate, but do be dramatic. The social |
| also teaches them how to interact socially with | | | | interaction that takes place between teachers and |
| their families. | | | | children at this stage also helps the children to |
| As children grow older, they still need stimulation. | | | | understand the role of their parents and of their |
| Remember, kids having fun gives them an added | | | | teachers. From these two sets of adults the child |
| incentive to do the activity you want them to. | | | | learns of the social barriers that define right and |
| Pretend play is one of the core elements of the | | | | wrong. The preschool curriculum also sets out the |
| development of imagination. Pack up a truck full | | | | various subject matters that your child will |
| of great costumes (you can pick these up very | | | | explore first. These subjects will be learning the |
| inexpensively after Halloween) and encourage | | | | alphabet and some basic maths. Additionally your |
| both boys and girls to play. What you will find is | | | | child will be introduced to the science subjects by |
| that many of the roles playing games they play | | | | letting them see how the various objects in |
| now are direct reflections of the experiences | | | | nature interact with each other. |