Community Problem Report: Early Education: Importance, Issues And Solutions

Luisa Maria Gonzalez

University Of Texas at El Paso
RWS 1301
November 9, 2015

Running head: EARLY EDUCATION

Abstract
Education can be described as the process of knowledge acquirement and selfdevelopment throughout the years. The most significant stage of this process is the first stage,
which takes place in the individuals first years of life. The importance and the effects of
receiving a good education during this stage is a determining factor in the life of an individual,
which can be proven by comparing older individuals success, metal health, happiness and
lifestyle rates through gathered evidence. Debates over the methods and programs used to
provide such stage to children and are countless, and are all sprung by present issues reflected in
the community, issues within the programs themselves, and the outside factors that might have
an impact on it. Through careful, long and thought through studies, individuals specialized in the
field have come up with numerous ways in which they believe education in the early stages can
be improved, along with the predicted outcomes of the alternatives available for parents to
choose for their children.
Keywords: Early education, child development, education issues, improving education, effects
of education.

Running head: EARLY EDUCATION

Introduction
The first stage of the education process is defined as childhood education or early
education and it normally includes the first five years of an individuals life; from the instance
that the individual is born throughout his or her last year in kindergarten. In this stage, parents
and teachers come together to form a partnership to provide the child an effective environment in
which his education will begin to develop (Gordon, A.M & Browne, K.W., 2014). The number of
issues having an impact on early education is alarming given that communities are slowly, yet
significantly being affected by them. Although these issues have a negative impact on society,
they help us understand the importance of high quality and effective foundations, and ultimately
lead us to create better methods to achieve this goal.
Early Education: Where the Education Process Starts
As described in Gordon and Brownes book, Beginnings and Beyond: Foundations in
Early Childhood Education, early educations main focus is on the development on the body, the
mind and the heart and soul. The idea is to create an enriched environment for the children to
develop the basic skills for successful social interaction and self-development (Haider, S.K.I.F. &
Ali, S., 2013). The knowledge acquired at this level, is the basic and most fundamental
development of language and communication skills, physical development through play, and the
psychosocial aspects of children. An effective reception to these factors is the key for a later in
life successful individual, whereas a failure to effectively absorb the information provided at this
stage can result in implications for children in the following education stages and in their
development as a person itself. The infants quality of early education, both through their parents
and the institution in which they experience kindergarten, will have a great impact in the shaping

Running head: EARLY EDUCATION

of their behavior and the way they reason, learn and interact later in life (Legerstee, M. Haley,
D.W, & Bornstein, M.H., 2013).
The Importance and Quality of Early Education
The importance of early education is debatable among many; a much greater debate is the
quality of such. The first debate rises up through the discussion of how education is relevant to
society, of those positively affected by it, and the linkage to success. The second one is the extent
to which quality of early education is being oversold. Many differ on these views, from the
beliefs of where children acquire the majority and the most effective education in their early
stages, to the rightful quality of education in which a child will reach its maximum potential at
such age (Gerneseys, L. & Meadis, S., 2010). While some people debate that education comes
from a balance of parental and institutional learning, others believe that such comes directly from
the institutions which children are enrolled in; like these, differences among the opinions of
individuals vary and such are reflected in the choices of educating their children and their chosen
institutions for them. (Zigler, E., Gilliam, W.S. & Barnett, W.S., 2011) Institutes and their
methods are often rated based on their achievements in the development of individuals, although
ratings may have counter opinions due to that the definition of achievements varies from
person to person. An education method known as the Montessori Method, developed by Dr.
Maria Montessori, is worldwide known and recognized by its high quality of educational
standards and philosophy. In early childhood, Montessori students learn through sensory-motor
activities, working with materials that develop their cognitive powers through direct
experience: seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling, touching, and movement. This method was
developed under the belief that education should be approached in a way that values the human
spirit and the development of the whole childphysical, social, emotional and cognitive

Running head: EARLY EDUCATION

(American Montessori Society, 2015). With over 100 years of successful teaching and results due
to this method, there is no doubt that quality education strongly influences the childs
development. Nevertheless, despite the different opinions on quality education, there are
undeniable differences on those individuals who received some type of early education compared
to those who did not, which reflect on substantial success, mental health, happiness, social and
self-development rates, proving that the importance of education is unquestionably strong,
independent of the chosen method.
Issues on Early Education

Me
ntal

health is absolutely fundamental to a persons overall

physical health and well-being and is critical to leading a productive and balanced life. Our
children and young people deserve access to services that are appropriately and effectively
provided (United States Senate, 2004, p.2). In the modern world, children nowadays are subject
to multiple disadvantages because of the exposure to issues, which have direct impact in their
education (Jowell, T & The Public Health Minister, 1998). According to a research conducted by
RAND corporation, There is increasing recognition that the first few years of a childs life are a
particularly sensitive period in the process of development, laying a foundation in childhood and
beyond for cognitive functioning; behavioral, social, and self-regulatory capacities; and physical
health. Yet many children face various stressors during these years that can impair their healthy

Running head: EARLY EDUCATION

development (Karoly, L., Kilburn, M., Cannon, J., 2005). One of the main issues that do such is
the ease of accessibility to quality education. This can be seen as a cycle: the gap of quality
education between institutions, and the difference in the preparation of teachers among early
education programs results in, sometimes by choosing a more expensive program, economic
hardships amongst families due to their constant efforts and sacrifice of their time to provide
quality education for their children in their first years. Whether chosen or not, this results in the
lack of interaction between parents and their children an early age, misdeeming the importance
of the education that is primarily received by children through their relationship with their
parents, and fully placing the matter in the hands of the institution. Another issue that arises is
the inability of institutions to fully engage in the individual needs of each child, and generalizing
education to limited concepts. Failure to provide children with a solid start in this process, often
results in mental distortions, behavioral issues, set-backs in personality traits, which leads to
disruptions in the later on development of individuals. Quality and equality among early
educational programs, is imperative for our communities and for the general well being of
humanity. This is the stage, which will not only benefit children with the provision of a rightful
start in life, but also eventually shape communities, countries, and the general humanity in the
future.
Transforming Education: Action Plans for Improvement
The National Academy of Sciences report ``From Neurons to Neighborhoods''
concluded that the Young children who do not achieve early social and emotional milestones
perform poorly in the early school years and are at higher risk for school problems and juvenile
delinquency later in life. (Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, 2004). Aware of
the importance of a strong early start in life and due to the many issues having an effect in such,

Running head: EARLY EDUCATION

professionals on this matter have strictly focused and are currently fighting to improve such.
Higher educational requirements are being upheld and demanded by institutions in their selection
of teachers. An alternative that has for many years been neglected by many, is gaining
popularity; homeschooling is peaking more than ever due to the selectiveness of teachers from
parents, leading to a more focused environment for their children (Berlatsky, N., 2010). On the
most common side, more organizations are expressing their support and demand on the increase
in investments towards our childrens educational programs. An example is U.S Senator, Murray,
and his introduction to the Americas Childrens Act, in which he argues that based on first-hand
experiences, he knows for a fact how an effective early education is inspiring for the young
mind, and a life-long gift (N/A, 2015). The process and the tactics used to improve education is a
complex procedure that will take many years to develop based on rates and statistics,
nevertheless the effort is worth the hustle to endorse healthy, happy and intellectual human
beings for the well-being of all.
Conclusion
Although views on the educational process vary, there is no denying the impact that it
has on our environment. The early years are a period of extremely rapid brain growth, wiring
and pruning of neuronal connections. The pathways that are laid down in these early years are
the ones that will guide the child's reactions and emotions for the rest of her life (Committee on
Health, Education, Labor and Pension, 2004). Investing our time and money in quality programs,
is one of the smartest investments we could possibly engage in due to that it will boost each
individuals full capacity as a human being as well as build stronger and more competitive
economies. It is our duty to overcome present and future issues that might be affecting our

Running head: EARLY EDUCATION

childrens developmental process, not only because we owe it to them, but to the future well
being of our communities, countries and our planet.

Running head: EARLY EDUCATION

References
American Montessori Society (2015) Introduction to Montessori Method. Retrieved from:
http://amshq.org/Montessori-Education/Introduction-to-Montessori
Berlatsky, N. (2010) Homeschooling. Detroit, MI: Greenhaven Press. CALL#: H33.O6 H66
2010
Chrisanne Gayl & The Center for Public Education (2008) The Research on Pre-K. Image
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Committee on Education and Labor. (2008) Investing in Early Education: Paths to
Improving Childrens Success. Retrieved from GPO Access web site:
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CHRG-110hhrg40225/pdf/CHRG-110hhrg40225.pdf.
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Haider, S.K.I.F. & Ali, S. (2013) The Significance of Early Childhood Education in
Endorsing Healthy Child Development. Putaj Humanities & Social Sciences. 137-145
Jowell, T. & The Public Health Minister. (1998, March 25. Social Exclusion: Head and Heart
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