Tag: early childhood

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Does My Child Need Preschool? The Answer is Yes

So your little one has officially leaped from toddlerhood to childhood. The transition between the two may not seem drastic, but there are some important decisions to be made once they reach this age. Of all the decisions you will have to make now, perhaps the most important decision is if and when you decide to enroll your child in preschool.

There are conflicting views between parents on whether or not it is necessary to send your little ones to preschool, but let me show you four reasons why you absolutely should.

Preschool Aids in Kindergarten Readiness

Whether it looks like it or not, preschools teach their students how to follow a structured routine. This is essential for when your little one graduates up to kindergarten because grade school has structured school days. Children thrive on a routine, and by enrolling them in a preschool, you are giving them the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the concept of a routine.

Aside from learning structured routines, there are several concepts your child is expected to know before entering kindergarten including early math and literacy skills. Most preschool’s you will come across have some sort of early literacy and pre-math skills curriculum they follow whether they use the learn through play approach or a more structured option.

Practicing these skills can and should certainly be implemented at home, however by allowing your child to learn these skills in a real classroom setting with education professionals, it is ensured that they are 100% ready to take on kindergarten.

Preschool Encourages Socialization With Others

An extremely important, but often underestimated, life skill is that of socialization with others. From infancy on, parents are encouraged to socialize their babies and children with other children and adults outside of the family.

Exposing your children to their peers early on will help them develop kindness, sharing tendencies, and has shown to decrease the chance of anxiety issues later on in life. Most preschools place an importance on being kind to others and learning how to work together and cooperate.

Unless you’ve regularly taken your little one out to playdates or other day programs, they won’t have been around many others around their age (besides family). Enrolling them in preschool will help them form the necessary bonds with their teacher and classmates that will help them develop into social butterflies.

Preschool Aids in Emotional Development

There’s a reason why people use the terms “terrible twos” and “threenager.” During toddlerhood, your little ones are still learning what different emotions are and how to express their different feelings healthily.

Early Childhood Education professionals are equipped to deal with emotional episodes from children, so that makes preschool the perfect place for little ones to work through the many emotions they experience.

It’s important for children to learn how to work through these emotions because, without a way to channel their feelings healthily, little ones might act out and misbehave. For someone to be a decent and functional member of society, controlling extreme emotions is vital. Learning how to control outbursts should also be taught at home, but a preschool with an education professional is the best place for children to develop emotionally.

Preschool Teaches Independence

To raise a self-reliant and independent child, it is important to encourage them to think and make decisions themselves. Encouraging independence early on will ensure that your child acquires superior decision-making skills.

While enrolled in preschool, your child will be faced with decision-making throughout their day there. Whether it be which toy to play with at free time or what story to choose when it’s their turn to pick for storytime, they will be faced with several opportunities to make their own decisions.

So, Why Choose Preschool Over No School?

There are so many benefits to sending your little one to school that the arguments against it hold no chance. Some may think that you can teach your child exactly what a preschool does, at home for free. This may be true, but every parent is different. One may have good intentions but fall short on several of the concepts and skills a child is recommended to have before starting school.

Sending your little one to preschool will not only make it easier for you as a parent, but it will give them a chance to do things for themselves.

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Second Language: Should My Child Know More Than One?

One of the most common reasons parents choose not to introduce a second language to their child is that it is pointless because they will “never become fluent.” While it’s understandable where this kind of thinking comes from, this reason shouldn’t deter you from immersing your children into other cultures and languages.

There are so many benefits to introducing a second language to your little ones that it would be silly not to if we’re being honest.

Learning a second language encourages open-mindedness

While learning a second language, it is natural to be curious about the cultures of the language’s native speakers. This opens up an opportunity for them to learn about where the language originated, who speaks the language and the everyday lives of native-speaking people.

This can also be a learning opportunity for you as the parent. Let’s say your little one has been introduced to Mandarin Chinese. You can take this opportunity to learn about Chinese traditions like the Chinese New Year together, or you can find a traditional Chinese recipe and cook up a yummy oriental dish together.

When someone is immersed in cultures apart from their own, they spend less time “judging a book by its cover,” and more time being accepting of others who are different from them.

Children who speak a second language have an easier time focusing than others

Studies have shown that knowing more than one language positively affects your brain’s ability to focus on a task and tune out other distractions. This makes sense considering how you have to pay close attention while learning the second language to get pronunciation and grammar correct.

Switching between your native language and your second language also requires paying close attention, so you don’t accidentally mix up the two languages and say or write something that makes no sense.

Learning a second language at a young age increases fluency

Studies have shown that toddlers learn faster than older kids and adults. This makes the ages 0-5 the prime age range to introduce a second language to your little ones. It has also been found that children who are introduced to a second language early on can develop a “native accent” to their second language.

There are several ways to help your child learn a new language even if it isn’t your personal strong suit. You can typically find classes for your little ones at several organizations in your area. When choosing a class, it is important to look for the following:

  • Is the class taught by a native speaker?
  • Is the class interactive and engaging?
  • How long does it last and what is the teacher/child ratio?

Another great way to ensure they learn a new language is to find ways to implement it at home. This could be anything from labeling household items you use every day to reading books in said language and even arranging for your little one to have a penpal from a country that speaks the language they are trying to learn.

Like anything your child will learn, it is important to make sure you continue the teachings while at home. This will ensure that they know and understand fully what it is they are learning. It can also be pretty encouraging when you’re on the sidelines cheering them on and trying to help them every step of the way!

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What to Expect: Age 2

This year your older baby will transform into a toddler. They will go from being dependent on you to demanding independence. This year your child will have much slower growth physically compared to the previous year however their mind will grow exponentially. Their play will begin to evolve into imaginative play, and they may become enthusiastic at the presence of other children. Your child will begin to observe you and other adults in their life, mimicking your habits and actions. They may pretend to text or talk on a phone. They may repeat words they hear in conversation or mimic someone’s body language. At this age, your child is excellent at mimicking those around them. They will also throw tantrums when they do not get what they want. This year can be frustrating but also fun and exciting as well.

  1. Social and Emotional Development

As your child develops, they will begin to engage with others socially, even recognizing the presence of other children when playing. They may play parallel, or alongside, other children. They may also participate in chasing games or kicking a ball with others. This is the year that imaginative play begins and they enjoy putting on dad’s shoes or carrying a purse around like mom. Your child will also be defiant at times, doing things they were told not to, such as opening an off-limits cabinet. Your child will crave independence, insisting that they do tasks by themselves even if they do it incorrectly. They may pick out their own clothes and attempt to tie their own shoes. Social and emotional development will become more complex as they learn about relationships, strangers and their involvement with other children. This year your child’s personality will blossom, and you will find yourself amused by the clever things they do as they explore the world. 

  1. Language Development

This year your child will continue to develop language. Their vocabulary will explode, going from an average of 50 words at two years old to over 200 as they approach the age of 3. They will be able to string together two-word phrases at the beginning of the year, eventually growing to four-word sentences. They may begin to use plurals (dogs) as well as pronouns such as me and you. They will likely start to ask “What’s that?” or “Why?” as they learn more about the world. They will also understand the words of everyday objects or people and they will be able to point out objects when asked such as ball or toes. They will be able to complete simple instructions such as “Put the book on the table.” They may even be able to complete two step instructions such as “Put the book on the table and give me your shoes.” Your child’s vocabulary and understanding of language will improve every day. By the end of the year, you should be able to understand most of what they are saying and possibly even have back and forth conversations.

  1. Cognitive Development

Your child’s understanding of object permanence will improve as they will look for items buried in two or three blankets. They may begin to experience separation anxiety however it is typically a temporary phase. They may sort items in categories such as shapes, colors or sizes. Your child may be able to recite sentences in a favorite book or sing familiar nursery rhymes. They will begin to favor one hand over the other which will likely indicate what their dominant hand will be. Your child will be able to build a tower of four or more blocks, and they may enjoy knocking it over and then rebuilding it. They may play simple make believe games such as feeding a baby doll or racing matchbox cars. Your child will also be able to name items in a book such as shoes or flower. This year your child’s brain will grow even more complex than ever before, allowing them to participate in more complicated games, conversations and activities. 

  1. Movement and Physical Development

Your child will be walking on their own if they aren’t already and by the end of the year they will likely be running to destinations rather than walking. As their gross motor skills improve, they will be able to climb on and off furniture without assistance as well as jump on two feet without difficulty. They may also be able to balance on one foot for a short period of time. Your child will be able to stand on their tip toes as well as kick a ball. As their balance and control improve, they will be able to walk up and down stairs while holding onto a rail and they may even alternate their feet.

They will also be able to throw a ball overhand as well as attempt to catch it when it is thrown back to them. As their fine motor skills improve, they will be able to scribble spontaneously as well as draw lines or shapes. They will also likely begin to insist that they brush their own teeth, pull up their own pants and brush their own hair. Your child will also begin to turn on the sink to wash their hands as well as attempt to zip a zipper or close snaps. They may also begin to hold utensils and crayons with their fingers instead of with a fist although the hold will still need improvement.

Conclusion

As your small baby grows into an active toddler, they will start to be more physically active. They will insist that they do tasks on their own and they will begin to test boundaries to see what happens. Tantrums will begin as they form opinions and independence and you may find them acting defiant frequently. They will begin to ask questions about their surroundings, and they will begin to mimic those around them. Their growth this year will be drastic as they begin to develop into an independent young child. Your child’s development from a helpless infant to an opinionated active toddler will be dramatic. This year may feel grueling at times however it will be rewarding as you begin to hold conversations with them and learn more about their blossoming personality.

 

 

 

 

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The Lasting Impact of the Early Childhood Years

The early years of a child’s life are the most important as they lay the foundation for the remainder of their life. As a young child grows and matures, it is the interactions they have with the adults in their life that dictate their mental growth. Being fed, cuddled, warm and safe have a tremendous impact on the child’s future success and happiness. Positive interactions help form the stepping stones for the brain which allows for greater intelligence and a healthy mind.

Negative interactions (i.e. neglect) however can harm the development of the brain as well as emotionally scar a child. Through interactions with caregivers and parents, a child learns how to deal with disappointment, anger, frustration, and sadness. The early childhood years are some of the most critical as the child is the most vulnerable and depends on caregivers to meet their needs. If these needs are not met, harm to the development of the child will occur which causes damage to the developing brain as well as emotional immaturity and poor mental health.

  1. Basic Needs

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs dictates that the first few years of a child’s life are centered around the basic needs being met. Being fed, warm, clothed, and safe causes the first two stages (Physiological and Safety) to be fulfilled successfully and the child feels secure. When the child has their basic needs met, they emotionally develop properly. When these basic needs are not met, the child may struggle with addiction, mental health problems or other problems in their future. Having the basic needs fulfilled in early childhood will assist in the healthy development of the child. Once these basic stages are met, the child is able to move on to the next stage of emotional development. If these needs are not met, the child will stay in the first stages until they are fulfilled.

  1. Growth of the Brain

As a child grows, their brain develops rapidly with the fastest growth spurt occurring during the first five years. As the command center of the body, the brain is the only organ not to be fully developed at birth although when born, a baby has all of the brain cells, or neurons, that they will have for the rest of their life. It is the connections between these cells that are formed as the baby develops. While their brain grows and matures, new pathways are formed which allows the child to think and move in more complex ways.

Parents and caregivers who give attention, respond and interact with their child are literally building the child’s brain. Positive interactions such as singing, laughing or talking to a baby causes these pathways to form properly whereas negative interactions such as abuse or neglect can stop these pathways from forming properly or from forming at all. The interactions the child experiences in the early years of childhood affect the growth and maturity of their brain which impacts them for the rest of their life.

  1. Social and Emotional Growth

While a baby becomes a toddler, they continue to grow socially and emotionally. Through temper tantrums, friends, discipline and other events, the child begins to understand their own emotions as well as other’s emotions. The early years impacts their ability to maintain relationships, empathize with others, cooperate, have patience and how to interact with others as well as many other important skills. Learning to problem solve, receive help, follow directions and show affection are all things that a child learns in the early years of development. These important skills are all developed by way of interactions with parents and caregivers. If these skills are not learned properly, the child will likely struggle with emotional and social development.

  1. Coping with Negative Emotions

The early years of childhood can be stressful to the child as with anything, childhood has ups and downs. With the help of an adult, a young child can learn how to manage these situations healthily. Stress, frustration, disappointment, and anger are all intense feelings which children learn to manage in their early childhood years. Learning how to cope with these negative emotions will teach the child how to manage them healthily. Without healthy emotional interactions with adults, a child may suffer from mental health problems as well as poor development emotionally.

The early years of childhood also teach self-regulation which is control of one’s own emotions. Learning how to self-regulate one’s emotions is critical in adulthood, and a person will struggle if they do not have proper development. A child may become enraged that someone took a toy from them and a parent will help them in calming down which teaches them how to self-regulate their emotions. Children also learn self-regulation by observing the adults in their life practice self-regulation.  Parents and caregivers show the child how to react to disappointment, anger, stress, and sadness which teaches them how to react when they experience these emotions.

Conclusion

As a child grows, their greatest teacher is their parent and caregivers. The adults in their life help form the framework of the brain which impacts them for the rest of their life. Through interactions, the child learns how to react emotionally and socially which lays the groundwork for their emotional and social development. Instances such as playing and talking create new neurons while also assisting in the development of social and emotional growth. Experiences such as war or abuse can stunt the growth of the brain as well as cause poor development socially and emotionally.

When a child’s basic needs are met, they are able to move on to the next phase of needs emotionally; although if the basic needs are not met, they may forever be scarred. By observing and learning, a child will develop a sense of security as well as social and emotional development. Parents and caregivers are the child’s first teacher, and it is through playing, talking, encouragement and support that the child is given the groundwork for a healthy, successful life.

 

 

 

 

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Seven Questions to Ask When Touring Preschools

pass or fail

Of all the milestones in childhood, starting school can be the most dramatic. Your baby has grown into a school aged child and they will spend their days in a classroom. Therefore, the transition to school can be a big change for the entire family as the child further increases their independence. When first shopping around for preschools, it can feel overwhelming. There are several styles of preschools which vary from Montessori to public school. While each preschool will be different than the next, they all serve the same purpose: to prepare them for kindergarten.

Regardless of the style of preschool, they all share similar goals and values. Keeping your child safe is their first priority above all else. Guiding their development, establishing routines and habits, introducing them to letters and numbers and teaching them how to be a successful student in the classroom are all objectives that each preschool has. The varying teaching styles of each preschool is unique to them and gives you choices when choosing a preschool. Researching each method is helpful when selecting a preschool as well as taking tours and talking to the staff. When asking questions about a potential preschool, there are seven questions that you could ask which may help you select the right school for your child. Bring a list with you if you need to, but be sure to ask these questions when you tour a preschool:

  1. What certifications or accreditations does this school have?

Many preschools have a National Association for the Education of Young Children accreditation or something similar. Having these accreditations certify that these places of learning are up to par with current educational standards. Review their accreditations and find out what they mean. Avoid preschools that do not follow current guidelines and standards as they may fall short of other more viable options. If a preschool is a particular style of education, such as Waldorf, ask if the school is certified in that style. Also, ask if the teachers are certified in that style of teaching. While preschool teachers have an essential requirement for their education, it is optimal for them to be educated and certified in the method of teaching that they teach.

  1. Is there a nap/rest time?

One thing that can vary widely from preschool to preschool is nap time. Some preschools do not have a nap time while others have time set aside every day for the children to lay down and rest. Some kids have outgrown naps by this period while others still need them. A question you can ask yourself is if your child is ready to lose their nap time. Some preschools have part day options which would allow the child to attend school in the morning and then have a nap at home in the afternoon. If your child has outgrown nap time, it is important to ask what the preschool typically has children do if they do not nap any longer. Some will have the child simply lay down and rest while others may have a table or activity set aside for children to occupy themselves quietly while the others rest.

  1. What is the daily schedule?

Studies have shown that a consistent routine can positively influences children’s cognitive, emotional and social development. This helps establish a routine in the classroom while also preventing behaviors, putting the child at ease and communicating clear expectations of the child. Review the daily schedule and see what is included as part of the learning schedule. Ask questions about the schedule such as what happens if it is raining during outside play time or how rigorous they are in maintaining the schedule. It is always a good idea to show up at the preschool unannounced to review the state of the classroom and schedule on a typical day. Each preschool varies in how rigorous they are in maintaining their schedule, but all should have a basic daily routine schedule as it helps the children establish routines and further prepares them for kindergarten.

  1. What do the students eat?

While your child is hard at work learning and developing, they will develop an appetite. Ask what meal time looks like. Does the school provide the food or should you pack your child a lunch? If snacks are given, what do the students eat? If your child has a food allergy, is the school willing to accommodate that? If food is provided, do they follow a nutritional guide when preparing the menu? Some schools provide fresh vegetables to the students, and they encourage the students to try new foods. Also, ask what the policies are should you desire to bring food to share in the classroom.

  1. What is the child to teacher ratio?

For safety, it is important that the teacher has a low ratio so they can attend to each child. Some preschools have teacher’s assistants to help with supervision in the classroom while others have a meager ratio allowing the teacher to focus on only a handful of students. If a teacher has too many students, accidents can happen and students may receive inadequate attention. If there is a field trip, will there be additional supervision? Also, ask what happens when a teacher is sick or otherwise not able to work. A preschool could align perfectly with your values and goals, but they could have an unsafe ratio.

  1. What does outside play time look like?

Some preschools provide a playground or similar equipment while others intentionally provide only nature. Ask what the students typically do during play time. It is a good idea to be familiar with the style of outside play time as that is often unique to each preschool. Some preschools provide tricycles, balls or similar while others provide open ended items such as buckets or sticks. Ask what the supervision looks like during outside play time. Are there teacher’s assistants to help supervise the students? In addition, ask how long outside play time is and how frequently the students get the opportunity to go outside. It is sometimes once a day, but other preschools may have outside play time several times throughout the day. Whatever style of outside play time you desire, ensure that it has adequate supervision and aligns with your goals and values.

  1. Can parents volunteer in the classroom?

Even with teacher assistants, the teachers may still need additional help. Volunteering in your child’s classroom can take pressure off the teacher while also increasing student achievement, promoting positive self-esteem and encouraging positive behavior. Sometimes your schedule will not allow for you to volunteer in the classroom, but you may be able to do things at home such as make activities, cut out cardstock, create worksheets or prepare newsletters. These home projects allow you to contribute to the classroom without having to interrupt your work or school schedule. Relieving the teacher of these job duties gives them more time to spend with the students and gives them a less stressful work environment. Volunteering in the classroom is a good way to encourage your child to have a positive experience in school. However, some students may react negatively to their parent being present so use your best judgment. Try out different ways of contributing and see what works best for your child, yourself and the classroom.

Conclusion

When choosing a preschool, keep your goals and values in mind. This will be your child’s first experience in a classroom so ensuring that a new preschool aligns with your style of parenting and your child’s personality can make it a positive experience for both you and your child. Preparing for the days of preschool can set your mind at ease as you will be confident when you take your child to preschool. Bring a notepad and take notes, ask as many questions you can think of, review the handbook and licensing information and meet the teachers. Being prepared for this transition will make you more comfortable with leaving your child, and when you are comfortable, your child will be more likely to be comfortable themselves. Going to preschool is a big step toward growing up and having a positive experience will put your child on the right path towards a positive educational experience.

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Jumpstarting Learning for Children Living in Poverty

Contrary to popular belief, DNA is not a child’s destiny. IQ is not fixed. Cognitive skills can change. This is critically important in K-12 schools because of the poverty gap — the difference between a child’s chronological age and developmental age.

In a healthy environment, a child’s developmental age will match his or her chronological age. In a high-risk environment, research shows that while a child’s chronological age is 5 years old, his or her developmental age is closer to 3 years old. This has a huge impact on school readiness and performance.

Today, 51 percent of all students in U.S. public schools are poor. Our public education system is designed to help students achieve a year of academic growth in a school year. For economically disadvantaged children, that’s a problem.

This problem, of course, is not new. In 1995, Betty Hart and Todd R. Risley published their groundbreaking research study that uncovered the widely cited 30-million word gap between children from low-income homes and their more economically advantaged peers. Not only does that gap still exist today, it’s becoming more prevalent as the poverty rate climbs.

Read the rest on this article on The Huffington Post.

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3 Questions We Should Ask About Preschool

President Obama has been vocal about his belief that a publicly-funded universal preschool initiative is necessary to give American children an academic advantage before ever setting foot in a Kindergarten classroom. A poll conducted by the bipartisan team of Hart Research and Public Opinion Strategies found that 70 percent of respondents were in full support of a universal preschool plan as long as it did not contribute to the national deficit. Sixty percent of the Republicans polled supported the plan, despite its close ties with the Democratic Chief. It is clear that average Americans, despite party affiliation, are supportive of essentially extending the public school system to include preschool-aged students.

With presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and other prominent politicians in favor of universal preschool, it’s time to ask some important questions about what could be yet another large-scale change we make to our public school system.

Here are some questions we need to ask about preschool before integrating it into our current K-12 system:

  1. Does preschool prepare students for kindergarten?

A recent study has found that children who attend all-day preschool are much better prepared for Kindergarten than children who go to half-day programs.

Researchers from the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs studied 1,000 3-and 4-year-olds enrolled in 11 Chicago schools. Students who attended preschool seven hours a day were compared to those who attended three hour programs, then tested at the commencement of preschool to see if they were socially and academically prepared to begin kindergarten.

The study found 59 percent of the students enrolled in the half-day program to be ready compared to 81 percent of the all-day preschool attendees.

In the fall of 2012, 78 percent of white students were prepared to enter kindergarten compared to 74 percent of black children and 62 percent of Native American and Hispanic students.

Early childhood education advocates believe this move could help minimize the achievement gap between white students and minority students.

The study’s lead author Arthur Reynolds feels that the state should consider funding all-day preschool programs so all students are ready to learn when they enter school.

  1. Does preschool prepare children for the years ahead?

Studies of federal early education programs, like Head Start, have found that kids entrenched in academics early on show little to no academic advantages compared to kids that started school later. The positive academic impact of early education programs is non-existent by fifth grade. Further, state-based preschool campaigns in states like Oklahoma reveal no real long-term critical thinking or social advantages for the students.

The real question that needs to be answered is whether or not starting kids earlier, across the board, will have a measurable impact on the success of American students throughout their careers. This answer comes with a host of complications though. What specific gains will constitute “success” in a universal preschool initiative? Higher standardized test scores? Better graduation rates? More graduates who go on to earn math and science degrees? Laying out a preschool plan that does not spell out any goals, or steps for achievement, is like sowing seeds haphazardly in a field and hoping something comes to fruition.

  1. Will preschool help underprivileged children catch up?

In some urban areas that endure lower achievement and graduation rates, pre-K programs are considered a tool to help bridge the achievement gap.

Philadelphia schools superintendent William R. Hite stood before the kids and their parents and called for an increase in the amount of resources and educational opportunities for the kids in his school system, particularly the ones who are Pre-K age. Hite said that the difference between children who are able to take advantage of early childhood education opportunities and those who do not really does show up later in the schooling process.

“Quite frankly, it’s the difference between reading at a third-grade level and not. That’s a big indicator for us for future success of a child,” Hite said.

He added that “every single student” should have access to early childhood programs in the state of Pennsylvania— not just a handful.

Meanwhile in New York, an early-education initiative was created to decrease the achievement gap between those growing up in Brooklyn, and those in the world of West End Avenue.

Under Carmen Farina, the schools’ chancellor, more underprivileged children would theoretically be taught the in the same ways the city’s affluent children are: according to the fundamentals of immersive, play-based, and often self-directed learning.

Nearly, if not all, private preschools in New York City align itself with the philosophies of Reggio Emilia, an education model that gained prominence in the 1990s. His belief was that children need some control over the course of their learning and the ability to express their various languages. Art, music and imaginative play take on substantial roles.

With studies showing that Sesame Street teaches children just as well as preschool, it can be easy to downplay the importance of early childhood education in our country. While the results about the effectiveness of preschools are mixed, it is certainly worth considering as a way to even the playing field in public education.

Click here to read all our posts concerning the Achievement Gap.

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Why stories matter for children’s learning

Peggy Albers, Georgia State University

Ever wondered why boys and girls choose particular toys, particular colors and particular stories? Why is it that girls want to dress in pink and to be princesses, or boys want to be Darth Vader, warriors and space adventurers?

Stories told to children can make a difference.

Scholars have found that stories have a strong influence on children’s understanding of cultural and gender roles. Stories do not just develop children’s literacy; they convey values, beliefs, attitudes and social norms which, in turn, shape children’s perceptions of reality.

I found through my research that children learn how to behave, think, and act through the characters that they meet through stories.

So, how do stories shape children’s perspectives?

Why stories matter

Stories – whether told through picture books, dance, images, math equations, songs or oral retellings – are one of the most fundamental ways in which we communicate.

Nearly 80 years ago, Louise Rosenblatt, a widely known scholar of literature, articulated that we understand ourselves through the lives of characters in stories. She argued that stories help readers understand how authors and their characters think and why they act in the way they do.

Similarly, research conducted by Kathy Short, a scholar of children’s literature, also shows that children learn to develop through stories a critical perspective about how to engage in social action.

Stories help children develop empathy and cultivate imaginative and divergent thinking – that is, thinking that generates a range of possible ideas and/or solutions around story events, rather than looking for single or literal responses.

Impact of stories

So, when and where do children develop perspectives about their world, and how do stories shape that?

Studies have shown that children develop their perspectives on aspects of identity such as gender and race before the age of five.

A key work by novelist John Berger suggests that very young children begin to recognize patterns and visually read their worlds before they learn to speak, write or read printed language. The stories that they read or see can have a strong influence on how they think and behave.

For example, research conducted by scholar Vivian Vasquez shows that young children play out or draw narratives in which they become part of the story. In her research, Vasquez describes how four-year-old Hannah mixes reality with fiction in her drawings of Rudolph the reindeer. Hannah adds a person in the middle with a red X above him, alongside the reindeer.

Children can mix reality and fiction in their interpretation of stories.
Margaret Almon, CC BY-NC-ND

Vasquez explains that Hannah had experienced bullying by the boys in the class and did not like seeing that Rudolph was called names and bullied by other reindeer when she read Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Vasquez suggests that Hannah’s picture conveyed her desire not to have the boys tease Rudolph, and more importantly, her.

My own research has yielded similar insights. I have found that children internalize the cultural and gender roles of characters in the stories.

In one such study that I conducted over a six-week period, third grade children read and discussed the role of male and female characters through a number of different stories.

Children then reenacted gender roles (eg, girls as passive; evil stepsisters). Later, children rewrote these stories as “fractured fairy tales.” That is, children rewrote characters and their roles into those that mirrored present-day roles that men and women take on. The roles for girls, for example, were rewritten to show they worked and played outside the home.

Subsequently, we asked the girls to draw what they thought boys were interested in and boys to draw what they thought girls were interested in.

We were surprised that nearly all children drew symbols, stories and settings that represented traditional perceptions of gendered roles. That is, boys drew girls as princesses in castles with a male about to save them from dragons. These images were adorned with rainbows, flowers and hearts. Girls drew boys in outdoor spaces, and as adventurers and athletes.

Drawing by an eight-year-old boy.
Author provided

For example, look at the image here, drawn by an eight-year-old boy. It depicts two things: First, the boy recreates a traditional storyline from his reading of fairy tales (princess needs saving by a prince). Second, he “remixes” his reading of fairy tales with his own real interest in space travel.

Even though he engaged in discussions on how gender should not determine particular roles in society (eg, women as caregivers; men as breadwinners), his image suggests that reading traditional stories, such as fairy tales, contributes to his understanding of gender roles.

Our findings are further corroborated by the work of scholar Karen Wohlwend, who found a strong influence of Disney stories on young children. In her research, she found that very young girls, influenced by the stories, are more likely to become “damsels in distress” during play.

However, it is not only the written word that has such influence on children. Before they begin to read written words, young children depend on pictures to read and understand stories. Another scholar, Hilary Janks, has shown that children interpret and internalize perspectives through images – which is another type of storytelling.

Stories for change

Scholars have also shown how stories can be used to change children’s perspectives about their views on people in different parts of the world. And not just that; stories can also influence how children choose to act in the world.

For example, Hilary Janks works with children and teachers on how images in stories on refugees influence how refugees are perceived.

Kathy Short studied children’s engagement with literature around human rights. In their work in a diverse K-5 school with 200 children, they found stories moved even such such young children to consider how they could bring change in their own local community and school.

These children were influenced by stories of child activists such as Iqbal, a real-life story of Iqbal Masih, a child activist who campaigned for laws against child labor. (He was murdered at age 12 for his activism.) Children read these stories along with learning about human rights violations and lack of food for many around the world. In this school, children were motivated to create a community garden to support a local food bank.

Building intercultural perspectives

Today’s classrooms represent a vast diversity. In Atlanta, where I teach and live, in one school cluster alone, children represent over 65 countries and speak over 75 languages.

Indeed, the diversity of the world is woven into our everyday lives through various forms of media.

When children read stories about other children from around the world, such as “Iqbal,” they learn new perspectives that both extend beyond beyond and also connect with their local contexts.

At a time when children are being exposed to negative narratives about an entire religious group from US presidential candidates and others, the need for children to read, see, and hear global stories that counter and challenge such narratives is, I would argue, even greater.

The Conversation

Peggy Albers, Professor of language and literacy education, Georgia State University

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.

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These 3 Advancements in Early Childhood Education Could Change Society

Even though education should begin as early as possible, there are only 15 states and the District of Columbia that require Kindergarten by law, and there are actually six states that do not even require public schools to offer Kindergarten. That is not to say anything about pre-K and preschool programs! Nonetheless, many schools and states across the nation are working to make early childhood education a priority. Here are three advancements in early childhood education that are simply game-changers for our society.

  1. Early childhood education in Michigan would slash the crime rate. By putting more money into early childhood education in Detroit, the crime rate would go down, according to a recent study.

Jose Diaz of the Amherst H. Wilder Foundation conducted the study “Cost Savings of School Readiness per Additional At-Risk Child in Detroit and Michigan” where the findings appear.  The research was commissioned by the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation and it suggests that investing in early childhood education could cut Detroit’s crime rate and save taxpayers in the state millions of dollars, according to a story on the study by The Detroit News. The story says that Detroit taxpayers would save around $96,000 for each child who was enrolled in a quality early education program and Michigan taxpayers would save $47,000 for each child.

The figure was derived from adding cost savings to special education, public assistance, childcare subsidies, the victims of crime and the criminal justice system. The majority of the savings would come from the criminal justice system.

These findings prompted Diaz and law enforcement officials to call on the Legislature to invest more dollars in early childhood education to help halt the alarmingly high crime rate in Detroit.

At the present time, only 4 percent of prisoners in Michigan under the age of 20 years old graduated from high school.

Learning begins at birth, which is why early education programs are so important. These programs provide an integral foundation for young minds and prepare children for success at school and in life. At-risk children who don’t receive high quality early education are more likely to drop out of school and more likely to be arrested for a violent crime.

I think investing in early childhood education programs is a cost-effective way to promote positive development of children and get to the root causes of high crime in the city. I hope that Detroit can see early childhood education as an initiative that could finally pay off and cut crime.

  1. More Native Americans could go to college with some early childhood investment. The Ké’ Early Childhood Initiative convenes today in Albuquerque and will bring together 45 representatives from four American Indian tribal colleges who will discuss strategies for better early childhood education and family involvement in the community.

The meeting is sponsored by the American Indian College Fund’s Early Childhood Education program which attempts to “strengthen the role of Native families in early learning opportunities, building culturally-responsive programming with families and tribal partners.” Specifically, the representatives will look at ways the American Indian community can better prepare children for long-term academic success, targeting learning opportunities from birth to 8 years of age.

In education circles, we talk a lot about the way black and Latino students struggle in K-12 classrooms through a combination of cultural circumstances and inequality. The reality is that American Indian K-12 students are the most at-risk of any minority group for either dropping out of high school or never making it to college. The American Indian Fund reports that American Indians who earn a bachelor’s degree represent less than 1 percent of all of these degree earners. It is not shocking then to realize that 28 percent of American Indians lived in poverty compared to 15 percent of the general population, according to 2010 U.S. Census figures. A college education opens doors for a higher quality of life.

The path to college starts long before the application process, of course.

Early childhood education has such an enormous impact on how students fare throughout their school careers. It’s the reason why President Obama has called on more states to implement universal preschool programs and has ushered more funding to Head Start and other early childhood education initiatives. There is a reason why an organization with “college” in the title is going back to early childhood to strengthen the potential of future students in the American Indian community. Better quality early childhood education, and families that are on board with supporting kids through the K-12 process, will lead to an uptick of interest in college degrees and a higher percentage of college graduates too.

  1. Vermont is set to receive $33.4 million for pre-K programs from the Education Department. Vermont has been awarded $7.3 million in what is anticipated to be a $33.4 million grant for pre-K programs at public schools and Head Start agencies across the state.

In 2014, President Obama announced that he is fulfilling his promise to expand early education for thousands of children with a $1 billion investment in programs for the country’s littlest students.

Vermont was one of 18 states awarded Education Department grants to create or expand high-quality preschool programs. A total of 36 states had applied for the money.

Governor Peter Shumlin announced, “This is great news for Vermont, our children and our economic future. Vermont is one of the top states in America when it comes to early childhood education, and we are committed to being the best.”

Last year, 28 percent of America’s four-year-olds were enrolled in state-funded preschool programs. The new $1 billion investment in learning programs is for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers in lower-income communities.

The education summit also highlighted a series of 60-second public service announcements that focus on various aspects of early childhood education. Actors Jennifer Garner and Julianne Moore and singers Shakira and John Legend all narrated a part and conclude with the tagline, “When we invest in them, we invest in us.”

I am thrilled about the $1 billion dollars that is dedicated towards early education and want to congratulate Vermont, as well as the other recipients of the grants. Of course I am an advocate for programs that help students of all ages, but I firmly believe focusing on our nation’s youngest students is irreplaceable.

What do you think an investment in early childhood education could do for our country?