Early learning centres are designed for children of preschool age and really help prepare them for the world of primary school and on into high school. At that age children mostly just want to have fun, but it’s also important to give them a head start in education so they assimilate better when they reach school age.

This article takes a look at some of the key advantages of sending your child to an early learning centre and what you and your child will get out of the experience.

Your Child Will Become School-Ready

As mentioned in the intro, your child or children will find the transition into their school years that much smoother and easier if they first start at an early learning centre. Apart from learning important social and interaction skills, your child will get an early start on learning important subjects.

Using the THRASS system, your child will learn handwriting skills, they will learn the basics of spelling as well as reading. These skills are not just handy for when they go to school, but they are important life skills.

Many early learning centres also employ the STEM system. What does STEM represent?

• Science
• Technology
• Engineering
• Mathematics

The STEM system also includes Computer Gym, which gets kids accustomed to computers and computer language, another vital thing to learn that will help them all throughout their lives. They’ll even learn some coding basics and develop knowledge of computer software.

Children Learn a Lot About Healthy Living

Not every childhood early learning centre has exactly the same curriculum, but just about all will teach kids about living a healthy lifestyle and everything that involves. Some centres even have vegetable gardens, where the kids get hands-on experience planting and growing their own produce.

Once the vegetables are ready to harvest, an on-site cook or chef will prepare delicious, healthy meals from the food the children grew themselves.

This is another fantastic life lesson, as well as educating kids about where their food comes from and how to grow it. There’s nothing quite like enjoying the fruits of your labour and when kids learn this at such a young age, it’s something they’ll appreciate forever.

Not only can children be involved in growing vegetables and fruit, but they’ll also be taught about proper nutrition, healthy eating and drinking and get involved in fun exercise programs to help their growing bodies develop and gain strength and coordination.

It’s a Fun Environment

We all know that kids just want to have fun, so that is a heavy focus of every single early learning centre. All activities – whether they be learning mathematics, growing vegetables or science and technology – are designed to be fun. Let’s face it, at an early age children learn best when they’re enjoying themselves.

While early education is very well-rounded, the focus is still placed on the kids having a good time whilst learning important life lessons.

Your Kids Will Experience Music Therapy

Once again, this facility will depend on the early learning centre and whether they offer it, but many centres will use music therapy to help children learn and develop. Using both sides of the brain, music trains a child’s mind to fire more neurons, which leads to improved cognitive ability, development and enhances learning capacity.

Not only does music therapy improve your child’s development and ability to learn, but they’ll also develop an early appreciation for music itself.

Early Learning Centres Are All Across the Country

Australia has early learning centres located in all major metropolitan areas and even in regional locations. No matter where you live, you should be able to find a quality early learning centre for your kids near you. One of the easiest ways to find some options is to go online and do a search on Google or Bing.

For example, if you live in Kariong on the NSW Central Coast and are looking for an early learning centre near you, try the following search terms for some good results:

• Child day care centre Kariong
• Kariong child care centre
• Early learning centre Kariong

No doubt some good options will come up. Then it’s simply a matter of checking out each centre and choosing the best one for you.