Educators, developmental scientists, and economists know that learning is not just about subject-matter knowledge. It also involves learning the competencies that govern how children enlist cognitive resources, motivate advances in their knowledge and skills, and self-regulate during challenges.
For example, young children implicitly build explanatory systems–implicit theories–about language; number; object characteristics; and physical causality. Their developing theory of mind affects how they perceive others and themselves.
Language and Literacy
Language and literacy development are key to children’s success in all aspects of their life, including cognitive development, school performance and social relations. Strong literacy skills help children become confident, inquisitive learners and set them up for a lifetime of learning enjoyment.
Literacy is the ability to read and write. It begins in early childhood as infants start to discriminate and encode the sounds of spoken words, an ability called phonological awareness. They also start to store these sound structures in memory – an ability called vocabulary.
When children engage in activities that involve print, like storybooks, they can begin to learn about the symbols that represent syllables and words in written form. This is called pre-reading literacy.
It is best to provide young children with literacy experiences in their first and primary languages. This allows them to understand, enjoy and talk about the texts they are reading and it also helps to prepare them for the experience of gaining literacy in other languages like SAE later on.
Thinking Skills
As babies take in information about their world, neurons (brain cells) branch out and create connections with each other. These connections are known as neural pathways and pass messages using gaps between neurons and brain chemicals called neurotransmitters.
Kids with strong critical thinking skills are able to analyze and assess different factors and outcomes in a situation before making a judgement. They are also able to use their knowledge and experience to find solutions to problems that they may encounter.
Teaching children to question their own assumptions and not simply repeat what they have been told is a crucial part of critical thinking development. This also helps them resist peer pressure and form their own opinions. It also means that they are better able to think independently, which is an essential skill in the workplace. Teaching kids to build hypotheses during playtime is another great way to encourage their thinking skills and to get them to consider alternatives.
Physical Development
Children’s physical development is the advancement of their motor skills. It is an important foundation for learning through exploration and supports other domains like cognitive and social-emotional development. It also helps children be more comfortable moving around and using their hands to explore the world.
Physical activity can help children maintain a healthy weight and build strong bones and muscles. It can also help them develop a positive attitude towards exercise and a willingness to participate in regular fitness activities throughout their lives.
Encourage children to run, jump, skip, climb, and ride a bike (gross motor activities). Incorporate fine-motor activities in the classroom such as threading beads, drawing with crayons or markers, mark making with clay or dough, pressing, pinching, and catching. Children are often less irritable and frustrated when they have an opportunity to work through their emotions physically like running or playing on the playground. This is because they can use their bodies to express their feelings and communicate them in a way that others can understand.
Social Skills
The development of social skills helps children form friendships and create positive relationships with their peers. It also contributes to their academic performance and well-being in school. Children who lack these skills may have difficulty making friends, be unable to read social cues such as body language and tone of voice or have trouble with understanding humor and figurative language.
Interacting with both children their own age and older ones teaches them essential developmental skills such as problem-solving, conflict resolution, sharing, kindness and empathy. Students also develop responsibility and leadership skills through classroom responsibilities, group activities and assignments that encourage teamwork.
Social skills learning increases a child’s positive behaviors and reduces negative behavior, including substance abuse, violence, truancy and bullying. It promotes academic success and overall health, and fosters family well-being. Parents, teachers and mental health professionals can help children develop these important life skills through a variety of strategies. If a child continues to struggle with social skills, it may be a sign of underlying emotional or behavioral problems.