4 skills your child should know before starting Preschool Education

Starting preschool is one of the most important steps in your child's life. Not only is it a big step for the child, it is a big step for the parents too. So how can you be assured that your child is ready for preschool education, age cannot be the only deciding factor right? Absolutely true. Before your child begins his/her path on education, the child needs to know a few basic things. Here are the 4 basic skills your child should know before starting Preschool education :-

1) Restroom etiquette a.k.a potty training

Although potty training becomes a focus area for parents much before starting playschool education of their child, this is the first time your child will be in an environment without your guidance. Your child should be able to identify the difference between male and female restrooms and also how to signal the teacher that a visit to the restroom is required. Basics like closing the door while using the washroom, washing hands etc. are important.

Furthermore, don't fret too much as most of the good playschools usually have support staff to help your child with the restroom usage.

2) Basic understanding of some concepts

Education of a child first begins at home. While you need not do everything by yourself for good learning of your child, an understanding of basic concepts like identifying letters, numbers , colors, shapes etc. makes sailing through preschool education easier.

Instilling love for reading stories and poems is something not only your child will enjoy, it will also help him/her take interest in the class. Your child must also be mentally prepared for following directions from the teacher.

3) Information regarding one's safety

Nothing matters more than the safety of the child which makes it very important for the child to know some basic information like house number, parent's name etc. You can also try to help your child learn your number. Sure, it is not going to be easy but highly beneficial.

Providing the child with basic sense of information regarding who is allowed to touch them and how along with what should they do in such a situation is one of the best things you can do for your child.

4) Social skills and independence

It is highly likely that the child likes to stick around one of the parents (or better, both :)). But this is the stage where your child needs to have a certain sense of independence. Independence involves not just self-care skills like managing a running nose, hand-washing , opening lunch etc. but also involves letting the child make a few choices for himself/herself.
Small, innocuous mistakes can be a great learning tool for your child.

Your child should also understand the concept of sharing with others and if possible, be comfortable in interacting with other children. An understanding of good gestures like “Thank you” or “Please” helps your child not only in the preschool but outside it as well.

Finding a great preschool can be a frustrating task in itself, make sure having your child in one is not. And most importantly, enjoy the process.

SIGNIFICANCE OF MODERN TEACHING METHODOLOGIES AT ELEMENTARY LEVEL OF SCHOOLING

Term education is itself a journey that we keep on doing knowingly or unknowingly our entire life. Books and extra-curriculum activities in school prepare kids to become a successful individual & a global leader in future. Each and every single level of elementary education brings a dynamic change in the life of a student.

First and most important level of education in school is the toddler and play group level of learning which requires, because the techniques of handling a toddler or play group kids requires a different attitude and an scientifically trained teaching methodologies for teachers. The students involved in this initial level of learning are of 1-2.5 years of age group, these kids mostly fail to express their feelings through words, so you need specially trained teachers who understand their gestures and demands. The role of a teacher at this level is extremely important for students because at such level a child learn to express his/her emotions through words, learning of different colors, shapes increase their remembering power, daily practice of orals on such topic for example small rhymes will also increase their speaking skills, action words and scribbling expand their fine and gross motor skills as well as holding and gripping of an objects such as color and pencil. In toddler or playgroup level, ideally a child should learn through flash-cards, objects and stories to develop a natural acceptance for studies in a child. For Child at this level, visual mode of learning is more effective instead of conventional mode of learning i.e. through listening, the more teachers present themselves in front of students with help of different actions the students will do the same as their teachers which becomes an idol being for him, as well as learn and recall everything taught by their teacher through actions.

Second level of School Education start with pre-nursery classes, which embeds a different level of learning and understanding in students. In pre-nursery classes students ideally learn & understand about pattern writing, dot to dot writing, stage activities, which not only raises their credence to stand as an individual but also unknowingly make them learn how to present themselves in front of others and how to communicate their thought process to others. According to modern teaching methodologies, at pre-nursery level students should learn through CSS method (Computer Software System) which accommodates animated rhymes, patterns as well as colors recognition with different examples and representation, this enhances the learning and understanding ability of students. Learning through such methods at this level is very essential for students because at this level students learn almost all the basic knowledge which prepares them for the next stage of education.

Third & foremost important level of elementary education is the Nursery Class, which involves alphabet writing, counting writing, Hindi “varnmala” it upgrades the Writing Skills in students. At this level, the primary focus is on speaking skills and personality development of the child. School should conduct multiple activities to enhance & innovate the speaking and pronunciation skills such as, storytelling competition, English and Hindi poem recitation, workshops and stage shows which builds up confidence in students and also lays the seeds of being a future global citizen.

A school who has adapted modern teaching methodologies, not only delivers academic knowledge to their students but also creates an environment in which student can learn multiple things at one go. It not only helps and prepares them for the different stages of life but also lays a foundation to become a successful human being in future. So the modern teaching methodology is like a cherry on the pie by which we enhance the learning experience of students and help them making a impact on the world.