As a parent, have you ever felt overwhelmed by the many terms used in early childhood? Daycare, preschool, early childhood education…not to mention adding STEM to the list, it’s important to understand what these actually mean for our children. While daycare may be seen as a place for care while parents are busy, and preschool as kindergarten preparation, early childhood programs can provide much more than either label suggests. Children are learning at every moment of the day, whether it’s play, conversations, or hands-on experiences.
At Celebree School of Stafford, STEM education also fits into the picture. STEM, or science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, isn’t about preparing our little ones for high school-level academics. Instead, it encourages them to build on things they’re already naturally doing. During extreme or rainy weather, the classrooms even have their own indoor version of STEM, exploring our world and its relation to science.
Early childhood education combined with a well-rounded program helps encourage curiosity, problem-solving, communication, and collaboration. Early learning happens in multiple forms throughout the day, from teacher-guided activities to children simply working together. So when thinking about daycare, it can help to look beyond the label, as early years are filled with moments to foster independence and develop important skills.
