Why is early childhood education important? The latest developments in science have shown that the first six years of a child’s life are crucial when it comes to early childhood development.

More than one million neural connections are formed each second in a child’s brain during this period, showing us that they learn more in these early years than they do at any other point in their lives. To see how early childhood education and development affect every part of your growing child’s life (and future), read on.

Read about Crawford International's approach to early learning here.

1. Lays the groundwork for learning.

At this young age, your child’s brain is like a sponge. They love learning and are curious about anything and everything. Leveraging this innate love of learning through early childhood education helps to create a lifelong attitude of learning.

Early childhood education isn’t only about learning basic skills; the effect it has on their emotional and social skills, as well as relationships, stays with them their entire lives. This attitude towards learning helps to build resilience and confidence research has found a strong connection between early childhood development and how successful a child will be in the future.

2. Aids cognitive development in early childhood.

During early childhood, developmental changes are happening in your child’s brain and body that have a lifelong effect. Because they are so curious at this age, your child’s mind and body are almost always going at full speed. However, studies have shown that early childhood education results in better concentration, communication and listening, following instructions, and completing tasks. What’s more, the mental boost early childhood education gives a child has immeasurable results.

3. Teaches patience and teamwork.

When attending preschool, your child will be interacting with other kids of their age. Spending time around other children in a learning setting teaches your child not only patience, but also respect for the space, opinions, and time of others. They learn they are not the only little people in the universe, to celebrate diversity, and to cooperate with others.

4. Boosts social and emotional development in early childhood.

Simply by being in a setting where they need to listen to others, play with others, and set boundaries with others helps your child to develop social and emotional skills that will see them through life. In early childhood education, your child is completing tasks and learning skills – when they do this, not only do they see for themselves that they are capable, but they receive praise and positive reinforcement from their teachers.

This emotional support inspires their self-confidence and primes them for further learning. And because the preschool setting is safe and inviting, they will also learn that it is acceptable to experience different emotions, and how to express those emotions.

5. Teaches self-regulation.

As they learn new skills and interact with others, your child will also be growing their ability to regulate their emotions, behavior, and attention. This is important as self-regulation is the foundation on which a child develops skills for planning and problem-solving; interacting with others positively; expressing emotions, desires, or beliefs; and developing resilience, curiosity, and confidence.

6. Helps physical development in early childhood.

Your child has already achieved major milestones in physical development – they’ve gone from sitting to crawling, to standing and walking. In early childhood education, they pick up even more skills that affect their physical development.

Even through simple activities like stacking building blocks or playing on the jungle gym, their fine and gross motor skills are challenged and honed. It’s been shown in research that the brain structures that control the learning process during motor development are also involved in the control of learning in cognitive development, meaning that physical and mental development go hand in hand in young children. So, the better they play, the better they learn.

7. Shapes their identities.

Yes, your child started developing a personality and identity in the womb. But, from when they are born, their every experience affects their personalities too.

Positive reinforcement and praise encourages resilience, helps your child see themselves positively, and builds their self-esteem. This, in turn, affects their personalities. Being in preschool provides even more opportunities for your child to garner this positive reinforcement.

8. Helps identify any problem areas early.

When a child attends preschool, teachers who are trained in early childhood education are able to pick up on any issues regarding a child’s early development that could be red flags for future learning. They would then recommend professionals for diagnosis and treatment, such as occupational therapy, speech therapy, play therapy, or more.

This certainly shouldn’t mean that your child’s future success is compromised – the earlier any potential issues are identified, the sooner they can be addressed, and the easier it will learn how to best support your child.

9. Encourages independence.

In a preschool setting, your young child will have to rely on themselves for things they would otherwise be relying on you for. This could be anything from washing hands or feeding themselves, to making decisions or choices for themselves. These kinds of experiences help to teach your child that they can do things for and by themselves, which in turn boosts self-confidence and encourages an attitude of independence that is important for the future.

10. Your relationship with your child.

The relationship your child has with you is the very first bond they form with another person. They watch and learn everything from you, and a positive relationship with you, in turn, helps them to interact with others and form healthy bonds with others. The quality of their relationship with you helps to support them in a learning environment.

Learning is inherently a social process, and you will see that as your child forms relationships with their teachers and peers, the bonds between you will also grow stronger. This is why it’s important to maintain a positive relationship with your child and to encourage their early childhood education through motivation, open communication, interaction, and love.

Read our 10 point checklist on getting ready for preschool here.