by Gabby Bugwadia

Created on: March 29, 2010

It has rightly been said that “The way a twig is bent, a tree is inclined.”  The importance of early childhood education cannot be undermined; the formative years, 0-5 in children are the most significant years in child-development. What a child learns at this stage can greatly enhance his overall educational process and plays a vital role in the successful progression of all his future education endeavors.

In today’s competitive era, academic success is the corner stone of personal development.  However, studies indicate that the early years are the most receptive years of a child’s life. Marie Montessori aptly refers the mind of the child during this period as the “absorbent mind.” It is for this very reason that the early childhood years are the most exciting years of building up the foundations of human intelligence.

The lessons learned and the habits formed at this delicate stage of early childhood, have more to do with the formation of character and direction of life than all the educational training of after years. A child acquires much more of his reasoning ability, feelings, will and character at this juncture, than it does at any other time of his life. Hence it is of utmost importance for teachers and care-givers to be trained in the art, skills and techniques of early childhood education.

Having dealt closely with a vast array of children from all walks of life, from different stratas of society in a variety of diverse settings, I have come to an irrevocable conclusion that a good teacher plays a dynamic role in this wondrous process of molding the minds and hearts of children. A good teacher, irrespective of her training, constantly endeavors to perfect her teaching techniques, improve her skills and imbibe the latest time-tested techniques to enable her to increase her effectiveness with children.

It is of prime importance that administrators, educationists, schools, social workers and above all parents, recognize the phenomenal importance of early childhood education. It is in the children’s best interest to harness the best available resources; doing so, would ensure that every child of our future generation becomes a recipient of this quality learning-an exclusive brand of education that could leave an impressionable impact on all the children who are privileged to receive it.

Indeed, the power of a good early childhood education teacher is unparallel.

"Then, oh what tribute can we give you
O wondrous sculptor of the human mind!
Yours is the privilege teacher, yours the power
To mold the minds and lives of all mankind!" Anon

Source:  Teaching without Tears by Arty Periera

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