In the past few years, structured learning has been one of the approaches widely used in preschool teaching, as both the teacher and parents recognize the value of it for early childhood development. Preschool education has traditionally focused on play-based learning, where children can learn and explore in their own time and interact with each other in their way. However, structured learning is gaining ground as a way to provide children with a more organized and goal-oriented framework for acquiring skills. Here Mr. Pankaj Kumar Singh, Managing Director, Thames Valley Preschool & Day Care tells about what exactly is structured learning, and why is it gaining traction in early education.
1. Cognitive Development and Skill Acquisition
Structured learning at the preschool level usually includes lesson plans, devised activities, and a clear curriculum. Such structures give the children openings to develop fundamental skills such as literacy, numeracy, and problem-solving. In principle, structured learning could be considered an early acquaintance with academic skills that are important for success in subsequent stages. Child development milestones are clear guidelines to address age milestones. For example, activities like promoting letter recognition, counting, or basic science concepts set the stage for possible future academic achievement.
Research also shows that structured learning supports cognitive development by fostering attention, memory, and executive function skills. Activities that require children to follow instructions, complete tasks, or engage in group learning enhance these cognitive abilities, which are essential for success in school and beyond.
2. Building Routine and Discipline
Structured learning is well known for its focus on routine and consistency. Preschool children thrive even more when they know what to expect, which is what a structured environment offers as predictability that helps them feel secure and safe. A typical structured preschool day with scheduled activities, short breaks, and transitions teaches how to manage time and learn to have certain expectations in an environmentally predictable safety net that daily fosters discipline. It can induce the concentration of children on their tasks together with listening and learning by giving instructions and with peer support.
A predictable schedule alleviates anxiety and assists children in learning healthy habits, such as coming to class on time, following instructions, and working toward a goal. These abilities are central to emotional regulation and social competence in school and life.
3. Preparing for Primary School and Beyond
As children prepare for entry into primary school, structured learning serves as a bridge between preschool and elementary education. Structured preschool education brings children into an environment-dominated classroom with task times and curriculum, thereby facilitating a smoother transition into even more formalized schooling. This development also aligns with what the children will face in later grades academic expectations must usually be clearer, with standardizations inherent.
Exposure to the structured nature of structured routines, for example, being in a group of people, participation in circle time, and teacher-led activities supports the development of self-confidence and skills needed for success in primary school. Preschoolers are more likely to enter kindergarten with the skills needed for academic achievement when they are familiar with structured learning practices.
4. Addressing Diverse Learning Needs
Structured learning makes it possible to accommodate the different learning needs of children. In a structured classroom, educators can differentiate instruction to meet the various developmental stages of children, from those who are ahead of the curve to those who may need additional support. Planning activities and teaching could provide teachers with ways of providing the right level of challenge and support to all of their students.
Furthermore, structural programs generally promote the development of social and emotional skills, like sharing, taking turns, and communicating effectively. These are no less significant than academic learning and contribute to the development of the whole body. These are no less important than learning, in terms of development. The structured arrangement makes it possible to carry on the social-emotional teaching activities throughout day-to-day teaching-learning transactions to help children take care of their feelings and respond to their peers.
5. Parental Support and Involvement
Structured Learning helps parents to fit into their child’s learning by offering a predictable structure and a defined target at the varied levels of preschool learning. The general curriculum offered by the preschool and the targeted individual goals for individual children helps parents to track their child’s progress. This way, parents can easily monitor their child’s development and give the right support at home if they know what their child is being taught. By knowing what children are learning in school, parents can provide enhanced learning at home that allows them to continue what they learned while at school.
The transition towards structured education in preschool education over time is due to the result of the many advantages that one can reap from this education, such as improving cognitive skills or preparing children for future educational challenges. While play remains an essential part of early development for children, it nevertheless could be given a solid foundation to prop children’s intellectual, social, and emotional growth. With changing times, the preschool will be keeping pace with continuous development in structural learning to shape young learners for a successful school and life future.
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In the past few years, structured learning has been one of the approaches widely used in preschool teaching, as both the teacher and parents recognize the value of it for early childhood development. Preschool education has traditionally focused on play-based learning, where children can learn and explore in their own time and interact with each other in their way. However, structured learning is gaining ground as a way to provide children with a more organized and goal-oriented framework for acquiring skills. Here Mr. Pankaj Kumar Singh, Managing Director, Thames Valley Preschool & Day Care tells about what exactly is structured learning, and why is it gaining traction in early education.
1. Cognitive Development and Skill Acquisition
Structured learning at the preschool level usually includes lesson plans, devised activities, and a clear curriculum. Such structures give the children openings to develop fundamental skills such as literacy, numeracy, and problem-solving. In principle, structured learning could be considered an early acquaintance with academic skills that are important for success in subsequent stages. Child development milestones are clear guidelines to address age milestones. For example, activities like promoting letter recognition, counting, or basic science concepts set the stage for possible future academic achievement.
Research also shows that structured learning supports cognitive development by fostering attention, memory, and executive function skills. Activities that require children to follow instructions, complete tasks, or engage in group learning enhance these cognitive abilities, which are essential for success in school and beyond.
2. Building Routine and Discipline
Structured learning is well known for its focus on routine and consistency. Preschool children thrive even more when they know what to expect, which is what a structured environment offers as predictability that helps them feel secure and safe. A typical structured preschool day with scheduled activities, short breaks, and transitions teaches how to manage time and learn to have certain expectations in an environmentally predictable safety net that daily fosters discipline. It can induce the concentration of children on their tasks together with listening and learning by giving instructions and with peer support.
A predictable schedule alleviates anxiety and assists children in learning healthy habits, such as coming to class on time, following instructions, and working toward a goal. These abilities are central to emotional regulation and social competence in school and life.
3. Preparing for Primary School and Beyond
As children prepare for entry into primary school, structured learning serves as a bridge between preschool and elementary education. Structured preschool education brings children into an environment-dominated classroom with task times and curriculum, thereby facilitating a smoother transition into even more formalized schooling. This development also aligns with what the children will face in later grades academic expectations must usually be clearer, with standardizations inherent.
Exposure to the organized nature of structured routines, (e.g., being in a group of people, participating in circle time, attending teacher-led activities) supports the development of self-confidence and the necessary skills required for success in primary school. Preschoolers are more likely to enter kindergarten with the skills required for academic achievement when they are familiar with structured learning practices.
4. Addressing Diverse Learning Needs
Structured learning allows individual differences in the learning needs of children to be catered to. In a structured classroom, teachers can differentiate instruction according to the different developmental levels of children, especially for children who may require more help. Planning and teaching activities may help educators think of ways to deliver the appropriate level of challenge and support to their whole class.
Furthermore, structural programs generally promote the development of social and emotional skills, like sharing, taking turns, and communicating effectively. These are no less significant than academic learning and contribute to the development of the whole body. The structural arrangement of the building enables teachers to promote the learning of social-emotional education in everyday teaching and learning activities to help children learn to deal with their own emotions and with their peers.
5. Parental Support and Involvement
Structured Learning helps parents to fit into their child’s learning by offering a predictable structure and a defined target at the varied levels of preschool learning. The general curriculum offered by the preschool and the targeted individual goals for individual children helps parents to track their child’s progress. This way, parents can easily monitor their child’s development and give the right support at home if they know what their child is being taught. By knowing what children are learning in school, parents can provide enhanced learning at home that allows them to continue what they learned while at school.
The transition towards structured education in preschool education over time is due to the result of the many advantages that one can reap from this education, such as improving cognitive skills or preparing children for future educational challenges. While play remains an essential part of early development for children, it nevertheless could be given a solid foundation to prop children’s intellectual, social, and emotional growth. With changing times, the preschool will be keeping pace with continuous development in structural learning to shape young learners for a successful school and life future.
