Early Childhood Education for the 21st Century

Early Childhood Education: A Successful Preschool Program for the 21^st Century

 

Abstract: Early Childhood Education must adapt to the changes in research findings of brain development and educational goals in order to fully prepare  children for a successful educational career.

In order for Early Childhood Education professionals to fully prepare children for formal schooling starting in kindergarten, an effective preschool program strives to incorporate the curriculum of teaching math and reading with the style of preschool education exemplified by the Montessori concept. A typical school is set up so that one room would be devoted to one subject and there would be several different rooms, two of which are math and reading. The math room has several different possibilities from which a child could choose. Maybe in one corner there are things to sort. Another corner is devoted to geometric shapes. Another has paper and pencils to draw numbers. The reading room includes a library, a table for writing, computers, and a place with reading games and manipulatives. Other rooms might include a nature room where the child could explore the natural world around them with friendly critters and dirt. Music is another good possibility because it is fun and speaks to almost all children. It builds a foundational frame of reference for each child to relate to others as they grow up.

A typical early childhood education day is comprised of children moving from one room to another with the same teacher throughout the day, exploring each room in turn. The teacher follows a certain lesson plan, making sure that all students are engaged with her or in other activities throughout the room. In this way, children are not forced to sit and listen and perform to a specific lesson but are free to explore their world at their own pace. Students get both exposure to the academic subjects they will need to start kindergarten as well as the opportunity to develop their self-regulation skills.

It is more and more important for kindergarteners to have more and more knowledge before they begin: the pressure is on from the beginning to excel and do well in school. It is imperative that early childhood education adapt to this new need and build a program that will fully prepare children for success in elementary school. This new program needs to address all aspects of that preparation: reading skills, math skills, and self-regulation. In this way, preschoolers will be well prepared for any rigorous curriculum they encounter in the future.