MARCH 2019 • LONGISLANDPRESS.COM 51
FAMILY & EDUCATION
FAMILY ENGAGEMENT
IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION
By MICHELLE DELL’AQUILA
Family engagement in early childhood
education can have significant
and beneficial impacts on a child.
Early childhood development and
education is the foundation for any
child. Children will be better prepared
for school. This helps progress
their mental capabilities as they
understand that learning is part of
life. Parental involvement in a child’s
early developmental years can be a
turning point.
There are several things parents
can do to stay involved with a child’s
developmental learning.
START AT HOME
As a family, the first thing parents
can do is have all family members
play and participate with their young
child.
Labeling items with words, playing
games, coloring, and spending time
creating fun learning environments
and lessons can help nurture your
child. Family members can take turns
playing and learning to encourage
their child to learn with many people.
This helps in school settings that have
both different children and teachers.
Children will be able to expand
their learning base to many people
and things rather than associating
learning to one person or setting.
CAN YOU VOLUNTEER?
Another way to engage in a child’s
education is to participate in group
settings such as preschool or home
groups.
There are many schools that allow
parents and older siblings to participate
by volunteering in the child’s class or
group setting. This is an excellent
opportunity to get a child involved with
other children and encourage them to
become comfortable with an environment
that might have more stimuli than
what they are accustomed to.
Parents and other family members
can volunteer a few hours a week
to help promote their child’s early
education and develop new skills in
a new setting.
BE PRESENT
Home and school or group settings
are opportunities for parents and
family members to actively participate
in their child’s early education.
Think of it as a collective effort with
family members and teachers joining
together to encourage a young child
in their growth — both mentally,
emotionally, and physically. Children
will begin to notice that family
and adult members in their life care
Parents play a key role in preparing
their children for school. (Getty
Images)
for them and offer opportunities to
play and learn which also promote
progress.
Whether it is at home or elsewhere
a few hours a week, family members
can play a crucial role in early childhood
education by being present.
Michelle Dell'Aquila, M.A. is a licensed
child therapist and director
of Child Development Advice, an
educational consulting agency,
childdevelopmentadvice.com
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