Kindergartens as a First Step towards Adult Life

Kindergartens as a First Step towards Adult Life A person's development begins from the very childhood. During their very first years children become more and more curious about the world around them and get some education by learning how to speak and asking all their why-questions. Then they start to learn the alphabet and start to read. They want to learn more about this life and demonstrate their talents. Before the age of six children are very sensitive, and it is crucial to find the right approach to every single individual at this period of time. The reality today is that parents cannot afford to stay at home with their children all day. Nowadays both parents have to work to make money for their family, and not every couple can hire a person that will take care of their children. This is why kindergartens are so popular and widespread in almost every country. Children are sent to the full-day kindergartens, and these places have a great impact on their upbringing and further education. A lot of researchers believe that it is crucial for younger children to have an access to education because it has a positive impact on their ability to read; besides, this improves their cognitive performance throughout their lives. Anyway, if parents have to spens all day at work and nobody can help them, they do not even ask the question about the importance of a kindergarten – this place is their only option. However, some families can choose to let a child go to the kindergarten or to stay with him/her at home. What should these parents prefer? Is a kindergarten the best alternative for them and their child? Disadvantages of a Kindergarten We would like to start this discussion with disadvantages of sending children to kindergartens. First and foremost, this experience is always stressful for children. No matter how good the teacher is and how great the other kids are, a child who comes to the kindergarten from home always feels nervous and stressed because of this huge change. The child is surrounded by strangers, his/her dear parents do not come to take him/her home for a few hours already – a child does not understand that immediately, which might cause a negative reaction. However, usually children overcome these difficulties and start to enjoy their days in the kindergarten a lot. Secondly, they can be negatively influenced by other children. Children in the kindergarten can have different backgrounds, and there is always a risk of a negative impact on your child. This is normal because teachers cannot control all communication between the children, and here it is very important for parents to help their children be open with them and teach them how to treat other children and how to solve conflicts. Advantages of a Kindergarten There are a lot of advantages of kindergartens which make these institutions so popular. To begin with, kindergartens help children become more independent. It is extremely valuable that children can learn how to do a lot of things without their parents’ help. They learn how to make the bed, how to clean, how to put on clothes, etc. When children stay home with their mothers or grandparents, they do not need to think about such important things because adults take care of them. However, at certain age children already need to do a lot of things without adults’ assistance, and kindergartens help them achieve this goal. Secondly, all children need to communicate with other children starting with the age of three or four. At this age they already require important social skills and learn how to build relationships with other people (in this case with their peers). Kindergartens also allow them to spend more time with other adults. This might be stressful for some children, but it is crucial because later they will become school students and they will have to establish good relationships with their school teachers. In the kindergarten children learn that parents are not the only authoritative people in their lives. Since children acquire all these social skills in the kindergarten, it is easier for them to study in school and make friends there and be in good terms with their teachers. Another very strong advantage of a kindergarten is education. This is the place where children start to learn how to write and improve their reading skills. They get a lot of different math assignment and have to memorize poems and perform them in front of their peers. In the kindergarten children make their first educational steps which help them a lot when they come to school. Since they do not have an easy access to TVs and computers, children are more busy with other activities: either they play together outside, which is great for their health, or do some sewing and knitting exercises which develop their fine motor skills. In the kindergarten children have to be disciplined and follow strict rules, and this is also very useful because it makes their transition to school much easier and less stressful. As you can see, kindergartens have their pros and cons, and it is only up to you to decide whether you want your child to go such a place. You can send your child to a kindergarten and see how he/she reacts. If this is too much for you boy or girl, then you should wait a little. However, your child can enjoy going to the kindergarten, and all your problems will be solved.