A child is highly receptive to new knowledge, especially in the first few years of life, so starting daycare at 1.5 years old is very beneficial for their rapidly evolving development. A child will likely have their first social interactions with peers at daycare, which support their independence, including self-care, language acquisition, cognitive development, and emotional regulation.

A child’s first 1000 days

Pediatrician Johan Morreau has said, „The first 1000 days of a person’s life determine the quality of the next 32,000 days.“ Before the age of three, a child’s brain develops 85%, creating millions of connections every second – it is the best time to build a foundation for a successful future. However, research shows that minimal investment is made in education for ages 0-3, although in reality, individuals are most receptive to new experiences at an early age. Early childhood educator Zahra Kessaami notes that society is reluctant to talk about education for babies, assuming it will rob them of the lightness and joy of childhood. In Väike Päike Children’s Club, we believe that a safe and child-centered environment supports a child’s natural curiosity to explore and play creatively, which is the fundamental basis for their overall skills development and well-being.

Supporting general skills development

Children’s learning skills begin to develop in the early years. Social skills develop best when children spend time with their peers, forming friendships and developing cooperative play skills, which lay the foundation for self-directed play. Through making simple decisions, such as choosing their own clothes or favorite toy, they learn to recognize their wants and needs. Therefore, it is crucial to allow children to explore, experiment, and make mistakes as much as possible.

The adult’s greatest role is to provide children with positive experiences by praising their achievements, encouraging them to try and learn from mistakes. Focus, problem-solving skills, creativity, self-expression, and love of discovery are like building blocks stacked on top of each other, helping children understand themselves and their surroundings. Simple conversation topics help acquire new vocabulary from an early age, give confidence to express their thoughts, and listen to others. In the long run, supporting the general skills development of young children is more important for their happiness, success, and peace than any test or exam they will take in the future.

A safe adult is the greatest role model for a young child

An essential aspect of a child’s early education is the adult, whether it’s a daycare teacher, teacher, or parent. Positive, warm, and meaningful experiences with secure adults are important for supporting a child’s development. A child learns how to behave in different emotional situations when they have a trusting relationship with a caregiver. As adults, we show babies what it means to be human, and it’s important to be role models. If we want a child to love exploration, then we must show our enthusiasm for discovery. If we want a child to be confident, then we must show how to accept and love oneself, flaws included. Thus, babies learn to think, understand, communicate, express emotions, and behave.