JUNE 2020 • LONGISLANDPRESS.COM 43
EARLY EDUCATION
UPPING MATH, READING BY MICHELLE DELL’AQUILA
Early childhood learning can help set
children up for success later in life.
Lack of education as a young child
can lead to an increase for at-risk kids
regarding dropout rates, teen pregnancies,
tendencies to commit crimes, and
disregard for a college education.
Learning at a young age increases a
child’s interests not only in the world
but also in how they socialize, communicate,
and solve problems.
EFFECTS ON READING
Developing skills before reaching
school can help prevent at-risk children
from dropping out as they mature.
Language and literacy skills are tools
your child needs for the extent of their
life. Learning basic reading skills such
as letters, the alphabet, and words
can prepare them for school and
further development.
Reading at a young age is also
an incredible way to bond with
your child. Pictures associated
with words can be a delightful
aspect of a young mind, and
many children enjoy being
read to, reading, seeing
pictures, and sounding out
words.
EFFECTS ON MATH
Recently, efforts have been
made by education professionals
and researchers to observe children
and their retention of math skills.
When children learn the basic concepts
of reading it usually begins with
learning the alphabet, the left-to-right
flow of the words, and then the words
themselves. Math, however,
seems to be learned in whatever
fashion suits the child. Some
young children grasp the more
difficult concepts at first, while
others take their time and master
the basics of counting or
fundamentals.
The effects of education
or lack thereof can affect
a child’s ability to keep
up in school. Learning
the basics of numbers
is one of the key first
steps to take. Early
math learning helps
set a foundation for the child for
school years, allowing them to be
better prepared. Early math education
and skills also help a child’s
understanding of more complicated
mathematics and help them retain
more information.
A popular saying is that the parents +
the school = success when it comes to the
initial learning of math.
START EARLY
Children are born into the world being
curious.
Their education begins as infants as they
learn to communicate by recognizing
voices and by voicing their wants and
needs. Children learn to adapt and grow
to not only survive but to succeed in life.
With the assistance of parents and
teachers, a child can be guided in the
right direction as fundamentals of both
reading and math are introduced.
Michelle Dell’Aquila is a licensed
therapist and the director of Child
Development Advice, an educational
consulting agency. She can be reached
at parentingcoachonline.com
The earlier kids start
learning math and
reading, the better. (Getty
Images)
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