Preschool education plays a crucial role in shaping a child’s future by fostering curiosity, confidence, and independence. It lays the foundation for essential skills such as social-emotional development, problem-solving, cognitive abilities, and early literacy. As early childhood education evolves, integrating structured learning with play-based methods has become key to ensuring holistic development.
Pritam Kumar Agrawal, Founder & Director of Hello Kids, shares insights on effective teaching to Triparna Ray
How do you define the core purpose of preschool education, and what foundational skills should children develop at this stage?
Preschool education is all about creating an environment where children can develop, and where they will be taught to adapt. It is not merely about learning, but it should teach children to fathom out the foundation for their later life learning by developing consideration of the need for curiosity, confidence, and independence. A good program in preschool is then needed to develop the necessary skills for school and life in a child.
At the present stage, children should develop a range of foundational praxis namely, social-emotional; problem solving; cognitive ability; language and. In other words, the basic emotional development is needed to build relationships and manage one’s own and other people’s feelings. Memory, attention, and reasoning are part of cognition. Communication, vocabulary expansion, and the beginning of literacy (understanding meanings attached to words) are parts of language. Creative thinking and decision making are signed in problem-solving. Additionally, physical development, creativity, and pre-academics, like letter recognition or number, are very crucial. Confidence and independence make both parts of preschool education, ensuring that a child is always prepared to face a new challenge in growing up.
What are some of the most effective teaching methodologies for early childhood education, and how have they evolved over time?
Early childhood education has undergone major transformations. In the past, it used to be characterized by rote learning. Today, it is child-centered and interactive. Some of the most effective pedagogies are: play-way, Montessori, and activity-based learning.
Play-way is acknowledged as an important tool for promoting creativity, problem-solving, and social skills in a natural, fun-filled way. The Montessori method developed by Maria Montessori is a method of teaching that encourages self-learning and independence through hands-on activities. Another interesting approach is the storytelling method introduced by Gijubhai Badheka, an Indian pedagogy that uses stories to affect cognitive and emotional development.
Child-centered learning makes sure that learning best suits the respective learning styles and interests of the child, while activity-based learning focuses on tactile experiences that bring concepts to life and make them more meaningful. Developmentally appropriate means that teaching methods match the child’s age, skills, and readiness to learn. Although specific preschools often rely on one particular pedagogical approach, modern preschool education commonly implements a variety of methodologies, taking the child through a well-rounded experience that nurtures both academic and life skills.
How can preschools strike the right balance between structured learning and play-based education for young children?
A very compatible preschool curriculum must realize the essential integration of both structured and play-based education for the holistic development of the child. Structured learning provides the planning of lessons, circle time, small-group learning, and set routines that help children develop discipline and focus. In contrast, play-based learning fosters activities such as outdoor play, interactive learning centers, and emergent curriculum experiences, which afford children the opportunities for free exploration, creativity, and social interactions.
This kind of balance requires preschools to maintain a flexible program, integrating both adult-directed structured activities for children as well as abundant opportunities for self-initiated play. Throughout this process, observation is vital: educator insight into how engaged children are—and how much learning is being accomplished—is used to edit teaching strategies. Having clearly defined learning objectives allows important play-based activities not to be confused with just play but rather as vehicles to achieve developmental goals. Thorough training for the teacher is important, as teachers must be able to integrate the two learning methods in an exciting and engaging manner for children.
What role does social-emotional learning (SEL) play in early childhood education, and how can educators foster it in preschool settings?
Social-emotional learning (SEL) is particularly important in early childhood education, where it pertains to children developing a self-awareness and self-regulation, as well as empathy and social skills. At that point, children learn both how to express their emotions to others and how they can build the essential relationships that propel them to personal and academic achievements.
Educators can increase social-emotional learning through their presence in classrooms that are welcoming, feeling safe to children, and loving to a degree where all children understand that their emotions are valid. Role-modeling of positive social behaviors, storytelling, role-playing, and play-based learning are some of the methods that can be applied in developing communication, conflict resolution, and cooperation. Strong teacher-child relationships and family involvement strengthen SEL for greater cohesion. Regular observation points out areas of need for support so that accurate guidance and encouragement can be provided.n
In your experience, what are the biggest challenges educators face in early childhood teaching, and what solutions do you believe can improve the system?
One of the major challenges in early childhood education is the scarcity of well-qualified professionals since a few Indian universities offer specialized training. Thus, preschools have a shortage of trained educators. More teacher training programs, with some incentives, could attract more professionals to this field.
Another issue is curriculum pressure, with many preschools giving priority to structured academics over holistic development due to the pressure from parents. A balance between play-based learning and academics should be in place while also educating parents about age-appropriate learning.
Poor parents-school partnerships are also an impediment to early schooling. Schools must, therefore, promote open communication and provide workshops to educate parents about supporting their child’s development. Initiatives to strengthen teacher training opportunities, provide a balanced curriculum, and enhance parent involvement can enhance early childhood education.
