by Jac Emma John

Created on: July 16, 2009   Last Updated: July 20, 2009

Human species are given 2 special gifts that put us on the highest level on the animal kingdom speech and hands. We have the special ability to articulate our thoughts through language or express our intelligence & creativity through the manipulations of our hands. If we look at the Pyramid of Giza or Taj Mahal, we are in awe by what our 2 tiny hands can create. The use of our hands is a skill which we should help our preschoolers develop as soon as possible.

Many parents feel that in a competitive world like ours, a good education is a passport to a better future. We place strong emphasis on academic learning and expect our 2 or 3 years old to read, to write and to spell. However, we have almost always forgotten that before all the academic skills are honed, there is some foundation work which needed to be laid first. First and foremost, we must help the child to perfect the manipulation of his hands.

Activities such as pouring, spooning, threading, washing, polishing etc are to help a child perfect his hand and eye coordination, to develop his ability to concentrate, to develop perseverance by allowing him to complete the whole cycle of work, and to learn to care for himself and his environment.

Whenever I observe the two to three year old children in the kindergarten working with these activities, I am always fascinated by the intensity of their concentration. They perform the same exercises repeatedly without paying any attention to people or things happening around them. Many adults find this strange and feel that time should be spent teaching serious stuff such as reading and writing. What these adults and teachers do not realize is that the child, by repeating his task is learning one of the most important lessons in his life; to focus and to concentrate. Without concentration, the child cannot learn.

In the classroom, the preschooler must be allowed to move and choose his work freely because with activity and movement comes learning. Therefore, it is the teacher's responsibility to ensure that everything and anything in the classroom is suitable for the child to work with. Freedom of movement grants the child the opportunity to observe and explore the prepared environment. It is an opportunity for the child to learn to be independent and make decision for himself from young.

The preschooler is still immature in his social skills and should be encouraged to speak his mind without fear of being ridiculed or punished. Teachers and parents should bear in mind that as the young child is like a camera, absorbing all there actions and etiquette, they must only carry themselves in a way that allows the child to absorb only the right and correct attitudes. The child does not learn to respect by us telling him to do so, he learn because is modeling after us. Therefore, we must be cheerful and friendly when we greet them, always exhibiting good manners. Never force the child to befriend of another when he is not ready but continuously provide him the opportunity to mix with others through group activities.

The purpose of education for the preschooler is to instill in the young child a burning desire to learn and to explore new horizon continuously.

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