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TOPIC 1.

a: Introduction to
The Important of Kindergarten

Reasonable
Childrens early learning experiences have a
profound effect on their development.
These early interactions directly affect the way
connections are made in the brain.
Early learning experiences are crucial to the future
well-being of children, and establish the foundation
for the acquisition of knowledge and skills that will
affect later learning and behavior.
Before they go to school, children have been learning
in a variety of environments in their homes and in
childcare and community settings.

Cont
Children arrive at school with different
backgrounds and experiences and at different
stages of development.
Positive early experiences with school are of
paramount importance to young children.
Children thrive within classrooms that meet
their physical and developmental needs and
that provide a secure, respectful, and
nurturing environment.

The Importance of Preschool Education


Preschool education has an important role in
developing high quality human resource. Focus
on holistic development is needed in order to
prepare them with the ability to compete and
have survival skills to meet global changes.
According to Essa (1992), preschool education
helps parents to enhance their children
development through a holistic, meaningful and
fun learning experience in enriched environment
by stimulating their brains .

Cont
Preschools can provide experiences that may
not be provided at home even though the
family has sufficient facilities (Rohaty 2003).
The first five years or preschool age is the best
time for parents and teachers to stimulate
children because of the fast growth of their
brain in this period (Bloom 1966; Doman
2006).

Brain development occurs very rapidly in the first three


years of a child's life. To obtain optimal brain development,
babies and toddlers need to get-rich stimulation. The
stimulation is received through their senses. Stimulation
received before the age of three years will be the eternal
memory when administered in high frequency and speed.
The more stimulation, the better the function of the brain
because the brain cells are used. The quality increases
when the brain is given opportunity to function .
Pre-school education is to help parents to provide the
stimulation needed in all aspects of development . The role
and contribution of preschool education is critical in order
to improve the quality of human resource that is needed in
nation development.

Preschool Education as Investment


Various studies in and outside the country indicated that
preschool education provides many benefits in various
aspects of life. According to UNICEF (2006), there are six
major principles preschool education as investment
1. Education is a right of humanitarian principles
2. Studies in Neuroscience
3. Economic benefits
4. Social equity
5. Social mobilization
6. International goal

Education as Human Right


According to the United Nations- Universal Declaration of
Human Rights (1948). All children have the right to
education. Education will promote understanding,
tolerance, and friendship with other nations. Education will
continue the program the United Nations (United Nations)
in maintaining security in the world (Aggarwal 2005).
United Nations (1979) declared the right of a child in
detail. These rights apply to any child, regardless of her or
his socioeconomic status, social status, nationality, skin
color, gender, religion and where they came from. Every
child has the right to get the love, understanding, and
health, education, full opportunity for play and recreation,
has a name and nationality, etc. (Berger 2000).

World Education Forum in Dakar (2000) states that education


is the principle of human right. It is the key of development,
peace, and nation stability and is the right tool for promoting
community participation in the economy.
The forum aims to:
1. Expand preschool services especially from the under
privileged.
2. In 2015 all the women and children who are in difficult
situations and ethnic minority have access to complete
their education.
3. By 2015 all children and women achieve gender equality,
based to full access for women and children in the
educational attainment.
Forum in Dakar is a sound basis for improving preschool
education in many countries.

Neuroscience Researches
Brains Development

Economic Benefits
Several world organizations like the World Bank (World Bank), UNICEF, and
UNESCO has conducted an intervention program in the many countries.

Improvement of Human Development Index depicts a full


improvement in education and health (Illiteracy level,
declined level of infant mortality, and increased life
expectation) (World Bank (2006),
A strategy to overcome the repetition in primary School
(Directorate of Kindergarten and Elementary School, 2008)
A child who is more willing to follow the pre-school
education is more committed at school at the age of 14
years, higher achievement in school, more are graduating
from high school and better family relationships better
(UNICEF, 2006)

Cost benefit analysis of Early Childhood Education and


Development (ECED) program supported by the World
Bank (2006) in Indonesia showed a high economic return.
Income analysis showed there is potential return in the ratio
of 6:1. This means in every $ 1 invested in ECED, it will
provide return at least $ 6. The greater return is achieved
when ECED interventions is aimed at children from families
with low SSE (17:1 ratio).
ECED interventions produce other benefits in the short,
medium and long term which is difficult to be quantified,
including physical and mental health level, advantage in the
family when the mother can go back to work more quickly ,
benefit in the community by reducing crimes level .

Social Equity
Preschool education creates social equity that includes
equally access to education for children from all families.
Social equity is supported by the United Nations stating
that the right of children to education apply to any child
from any nation, regardless of their socioeconomic status.
Study of Schweinhart et al (1992) stated that early
education can reduce social distinction by ensuring that
the child from families in need, have access to health,
education and providing training for parents. Through
preschool education, children and women are treated
equally as men.

Rohaty (2003) stated that preschool education


naturally is for both the normal childhood and special
need children.
Implication:
Placement and admission in preschool need to be
enforced so that philosophy of 'education for all'
will be reached.
Further access to preschool education in remote
areas need to be improved across the country.

Social Mobilization
Preschool education contributes to social mobilization. In
carrying out preschool services, children have the needs that
must be obtained from the community.
School can collaborate with community in order to strengthen
the preschool programs, e.g. fund raising, humanitarian
activities, cleaning up the area in the community, etc. This
means preschool is the entrance to the community which leads
to social mobilization.
Social mobilization is a benefit for the community and preschool
because both parties continue to grow. Childhood is the future
and to change them means to change the world.

International Goals
Preschool programs help to achieve the international
goals of the Education for All (2000):
1.Eradicating poverty and hunger,
2.Children completing primary education,
3.Promoting gender equality in education and
empowerment of women (women empowerment),
4.Minimizing the number of childhood deaths
With the achievement of the nation, men and their
children will have a better life and world to live in the
future.

Conclusion
Although Kindergarten programs are critical in laying
the foundations for success in learning, the
Kindergarten years are also an important time in
childrens total development.
Teachers, early childhood educators, members of the
community, and families should work together to
provide challenging and engaging learning experiences
that will build childrens confidence, encourage them
to continue to see learning as both enjoyable and
useful, and provide a strong foundation for their future
intellectual, physical, and social development.

Selamat Mencoba!

Team Teaching

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