Educators, parents, and kids in Deception Bay should be aware of how early learning can have positive benefits in the future. This includes literacy, language, dramatic play, self-control, and quality rating and improvement systems.
Language
Whether children learn a language by immersion or through instruction, the early years are important for building proficiency in a second language. The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) recommends that students learn a second language as early as possible in school.
Some researchers have explored early language learning from a number of different angles. Several studies have examined how much input is needed to attain a basic communicative competency in a language. Some have also examined the quality of that input.
The “oracy first” approach is based on the premise that language is learned orally first. Some studies have also found that the quality of the input is as important as the quantity.
Literacy
Investing in early learning helps children develop a solid foundation of literacy. This ensures that children are ready to enter kindergarten with the necessary skills. It also reduces their chances of falling behind later in school.
Strong preschool programs are especially impactful for children in poverty. Research shows that attending a program with a strong preschool literacy curriculum reduces the likelihood of receiving special education services. In addition, children who are proficient readers are more likely to be able to tackle more challenging subjects in fourth grade.
The National Campaign for Grade Level Reading supports national and local efforts to improve early learning literacy. The Literacy in Early Learning Spaces (LiELS) project is an effort to improve literacy in early learning programs in seven low-resource neighborhoods in Philadelphia.
Self-control
Developing self-control is an important aspect of early learning. It allows kids to make appropriate decisions and cope with frustration. Self-control also allows kids to cooperate with others and make friends.
Although the concept of self-control has been around for a while, early childhood educators still have a lot to learn about it. Fortunately, there are now tools available to measure and monitor kids’ self-regulation.
Some of the tools include:
– A code book that includes 154 codes grouped into 13 categories. Each code represents a concept related to self-regulation. The codebook was constructed using a consensus-build process. This method involved grouping individual codes into broader themes.
Dramatic play
Using dramatic play in local early learning Deception Bay can benefit young learners. It can promote early literacy skills, encourage problem solving, and provide a safe place for children to practice social skills. It can also be a low cost activity.
In terms of early learning, the goal of dramatic play is to use the imagination to represent real life experiences. Children are able to practice using vocabulary, learn to coordinate with others, and develop their fine motor skills.
The true magic of dramatic play is its ability to motivate children to use higher order language and learn to express themselves. It is also a great way to document children’s skills and ideas. This is especially true of shy children who may find it difficult to express themselves in a group setting.
Quality rating and improvement system
Designed to increase the availability of high quality early learning programs, a Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) is a policy innovation that helps parents, families, and practitioners identify and choose high quality programs. It provides incentives for providers to improve their practices, gives consumers financial rewards for choosing higher quality programs, and provides policymakers with proven strategies to improve quality.
Quality Rating and Improvement Systems are being implemented in nearly every state in the US. The federally funded Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge (RTT-ELC) grant program helped promote the use of rating systems. It was also the driving force behind the development of a national learning network for state-based QRISs.