Education helps in transforming a child into a capable individual. It equips them with knowledge that is beneficial for the development of a nation and enhances economical growth.
Children develop in many ways, including socially, emotionally, physically and cognitively (thinking). Teachers support children in all areas of their development.
Socialization
Socialisation is the process of learning societal norms and customs. It is the foundation of psychological development and is especially important for children as they enter into different environments such as school.
According to the ecological systems theory, several factors impact children’s socialization, including family, schools and peer groups. Family is the first agent of socialization and teaches children basic societal skills such as toilet training. School plays an important role in socialization as it teaches children the responsibilities of being a student including listening to teachers and obeying rules.
Schools can also socialize children overtly by teaching them things like the Pledge of Allegiance or national history. Schools may also socialize students in more subtle ways such as gender socialization through the choice of toys and games for boys versus girls or the way that schools promote masculine ideals such as sports, power and strength.
Communication Skills
In an educational setting, it’s important to communicate with children in a variety of ways. This includes listening, speaking, gesturing and writing. Children also develop thinking skills through activities like experimenting, creating and asking questions.
As they grow, kids will learn to communicate their ideas and needs with peers, teachers and parents. This is an integral part of socialization, which helps children feel at ease in their environment. In addition, communication skills will allow children to express themselves in a way that is respectful of others.
Having good communication skills is essential for all aspects of life. It can help children build strong friendships, learn about their world and build a positive self-image. It will also prepare them for later jobs, as many employers consider communication skills one of the most desirable traits. The best way to support children in developing their communication skills is to provide them with a language-rich environment, including music and pictures.
Early Exposure to STEM Subjects
The science of brain building demonstrates that children develop STEM understandings and habits of mind as they explore their natural and human-made worlds in curiosity-driven ways with supportive adults. Incorporating STEM in ECE and OST settings taps into that sense of wonder, supports early critical thinking skills, and nurtures a love of learning that can benefit children throughout their lives.
Just like learning a language, children become fluent in STEM topics through repeated exposure. They can use their love for exploration to find answers to questions, such as how levers and pulleys work, why mold forms, or what makes rainbows appear.
Children’s attitudes about STEM subjects get formed in the formative years of preschool through elementary school, and those early expectations can determine whether a child pursues a career in that field in the future. Those who do pursue STEM careers often outperform others on standardized tests, including the ACT. Luckily, there’s a burgeoning industry of informal learning environments that can help kids who don’t get a strong foundation in STEM at school.
Cultural Awareness
In today’s world, individuals are exposed to people from many different cultures. It is important for children to have an understanding of the diversity in order to foster harmonious coexistence. This can be done by exposing them to other customs, traditions and foods.
It can also be aided by encouraging their involvement in cultural awareness training, which can be found here. Similarly, students and professionals in healthcare should seek to be as culturally aware as possible. This is vital to their patient’s experiences and to ensure that they are receiving the best care.
In fact, research has shown that patients who receive care from nurses who are more culturally aware have a more positive outlook on their hospital stay. This is because they feel that the nurse understands their needs and concerns. Furthermore, those who are more tolerant of other people’s beliefs tend to perform better in the workplace as well.