The Key to early childhood care!

“Every child is potentially the light of the world and at the same time its darkness.”

It is here that early childhood care, which is synonymous to education, can be deemed of paramount significance with the raison d’etre before of holistic development of the child’s social, emotional, cognitive and physical needs in order to build a solid and broad foundation for a lifelong learning and well being.

A child is a young and tender plant which grows whatever way it is nurtured and trained in. If given proper care and reared to be truthful, kind and righteous, it will flourish. But if neglected, it will stand awry without any hope and scope of change or improvement. Hence, training in morals and good conduct is far more critical than erudite learning.

The perspective has also been supported by the distinguished Italian physician and educator Maria Montessori, when she says, “Early childhood education is the key to the betterment of the society.”

A child may not be able to grow into a productive member of society if not furnished with proper care and education. Also, there is no denying the fact that in the contemporary world, parents who wish to shape the ideal child often face difficulties in this essential process. However, the difficulties can be dealt with efficiently if we, as parents and educators, understand that education begins at birth and continues throughout life. For the parents as well as educators, educating and caring for the child becomes an opportunity to care for and educate themselves. This requires becoming compos mentis of oneself so that one never sets a bad example for one’s child. What is needed is giving or rather being an example of what one teaches.

None of the appealing speeches can teach sincerity, honesty, straight forwardness, courage, unselfishness, patience, endurance, perseverance and self-control more than by being the embodiment of the same. The child will surely emulate the ideal in himself and manifest the desired qualities.

It is well said that when mind and body are in harmony, happiness is the result. So, taking care of and educating the body is as important as educating the mind. Proper care and guidance given right from the childhood, when the child starts making use of his limbs, lead to their sound functioning and balanced growth.

Children are explorers. They need safe place where they can freely move, experiment and investigate. Asking a toddler not to run, jump or climb is just like saying-“ Don’t breathe.”

Good habits for food, sleep and cleanliness are equally indispensable. The grooming of the child should enable him to distinguish desires from needs. He must be taught to eat healthy food according to his hunger in order to give strength to his body. A sound sleep of not less than eight hours in a quiet well ventilated place is a must for every child. Then comes the importance of cleanliness and hygiene. We all know that the one who maintains cleanliness keeps away diseases. But while respecting the rules of hygiene, the child should not end up absorbing fear of illness. Fear is the surest way of attracting what is feared.

In conclusion, it wouldn’t be wrong to mention that the golden piece of advice by the renowned anthropologist Margaret Mead forms the crux of early childhood care and education:

“Children must be taught how to think, not what to think.”

For the parents as well as educators, educating and caring for the child becomes an opportunity to care for and educate themselves. This requires becoming compos mentis of oneself so that one never sets a bad example for one’s child. What is needed is giving or rather being an example of what one teaches.

An adept Educator and keen observer wih around two decades of experience of enthusiastically engaging with senior school learners, Nisha Aneja, currently leading the Senior School division of G.D. Goenka Public School, Rohini Sector 22 is an alumnus of the prestigious Daulat Ram College of University of Delhi. Her admirable spirit of inquiry has led her to take on diversified and challenging yet deeply invigorating opportunities. Having served as the N.I.E. coordinator, a Rotarian and N.S.S. Cadet Team Member, she has diligently worked for the society for its utmost benefit and upliftment. Her distinguished paradigm of teaching-learning extends to preparation of teacher’s training modules and Model Teaching Sessions, enriching her expertise in the field of Education. Her innovative teaching and management strategies has led her to win various coveted titles such as Best Teacher (WOW), Best Mom (The Times of India), Best Coordinator (SOF Olympiads) and Ramanujan Trophy (Ryan International School), ensuring the recognition of her notable contribution in the field of education.