TODDLERS pick up ideas and concepts much faster than adults, if they are given a proper artistic and educational atmosphere. Pre-schools or play-groups are good options for parents who want their children to grow up as intelligent and confident members of society, and can help children build sound insights and widen their concepts. Many educational centers offering pre-school facilities have mushroomed all over the Kingdom, leaving parents confused about picking the right center that suits their requirements and resources. Farheen Shahid, a kindergarten teacher and mother of two children between 3 and 6 years, believes it is better to admit children to play groups so that they could learn how to be independent and get a head start at school, instead of idly sitting at home. “I was afraid that keeping my son at home till the age of four would make him dull and could divert his mind to other things like TV and games. I feel he needs to interact with other children of the same age, which will benefit him later when he goes to school,” she said. Sadia Malik, a house wife with a nearly three-year-old daughter, said play groups become essential when one has an only child. “The best thing a mother can give her child at this age is the company of other children. At this age, they don't need schools that follow a curriculum, rather they need a joyful atmosphere where they are taught new things in a friendly manner,” she said. Mahwish Akhter, another teacher and mother of one daughter considers pre-schools the child's first step towards practical life. “I have many family members who can take care of my daughter when I am away at school, but I prefer to send her to a play group which will not only teach her to make friends but also expose her to new people and teach her how to deal with different situations, which she can't learn at home,” she said. Although there are numerous play-groups in the Kingdom, parents are hardly spoilt for choice. Many of the cheaper pre-schools are little better than baby-sitting centers in small flats, where the children are cooped together and there is no attention paid to maintaining general hygiene. On the other hand, some of the more established play-groups are unaffordable or inaccessible to many people. “Being a teacher myself, I have seen many pre-schools here for my child but I was not satisfied, sometimes with the standard and at other times by the fee structure,” lamented Farheen. Dr. Zafar, pediatrician at Naseem Polyclinic said, “Lack of sanitation in a child's surroundings and mishandling of personal hygiene cause children in playgroups to fall ill frequently, as their immunity is weak compared to adults. Overcrowding children in a small place without proper ventilation can easily result in the transmission of diseases from one child to another.” Anila Paracha, head mistress at The City School in Jeddah, said that play-groups provide an activity-based program giving children the benefit of Practical Life Exercise (PLE) in the supervision of teachers. “These activities include playing with colorful play dough, which helps in developing wrist muscles, scientific apparatus activity which helps in developing mathematical sense, playing with beads and special needles which help in development of finger muscles that improves the pencil holding posture.” “Other than these, story telling and educational cartoons are shown to students, which encourage them to express themselves and develops their observation and attention-span,” she added. Zarina Khan, an educationist said that pre-schools might not be important in other parts of the world but they are very important here in the Kingdom, because most people have a nuclear family system and there is not much interaction with others, except over weekends. “I have seen that students with a preschool background are smarter than those who don't have this base,” she feels. Check it out! The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) in the United States recommends that parents seek out: Well-trained staff – The professional qualifications and training of teachers and staff are crucial to a quality program. Ask about the degrees and certificates held by the director and teachers, and find out what steps they take to provide staff with ongoing training. Low child-to-teacher ratio – The number of adults and children is important because it helps determine how much individual attention your child will get. There should be at least one adult for every: four infants five younger toddlers (12 to 24 months) six older toddlers (2 to 3 years) ten 3- or 4-year-olds Small group size – In addition to low teacher-to-child ratios, the overall size of the program is important. Look for a program with fewer than six to eight infants in a group, 10 to 12 toddlers, and no more than 20 preschoolers. Low staff turnover – Teachers who have been in a program longer establish bonds with the children, and those relationships help children grow and learn. Low turnover is also usually a sign that the program values good staff and works to keep them. A safe and healthy environment – Check that the program is licensed by the state. Make sure that the facility looks clean, and that all children are under adult supervision at all times. Staff should be able to describe clear health and safety procedures, as well as policies for handling emergencies. Take the time to choose carefully. Choosing a preschool means building a relationship with people who will give your child a great start on learning. – Adapted from ‘Early Years Are Learning Years'. __
