In 2015, the gross rate of preschool enrolment in Malaysia was 93.9%. The government aimed to take it to 97% by 2020. In the absence of data in 2020 and considering the impact of the pandemic on education globally, it is safe to say that preschool education in Malaysia has showcased positive results.
Yet, some parents are still unsure whether investing in preschool education for their child is worth the money. Here are four primary reasons why it is a justifiable expense to send your learner to the best preschools in Malaysia.
Better Social Skills
Not every child turns into an ace performer in a room full of strangers. Many children may feel uncomfortable or even scared when it comes to being around new people. However, attending preschool helps them learn social skills. They teach students from different backgrounds, races, ethnicities, and capabilities to adapt to new environments and interact with others. Besides, preschools in Malaysia also focus on teaching children to be respectful towards the choices and decisions of others. It mainly works for overpampered children who may have a lesser degree of care and empathy towards other children.
Become more independent
Preschool curriculum is meant not just to educate but inculcate self-reliance among the young learners. For them, it is the beginning of learning to be responsible for their actions. For example, many parents continue to hand feed their child up till a certain age. But when they start attending preschools, teachers inculcate the habit of following a timetable and eating lunch or snacks by themselves and adhering to table manners.
Higher emotional intelligence
Emotional intelligence comprises self-awareness, self-regulation, and empathy for others. Children who attend preschools develop these traits organically to learn to behave and acclimatize to a new social environment. Many international schools in Kuala Lumpur generally use the RULER approach to teach emotional intelligence to learners. They teach them to identify, name, and then manage their emotions in different circumstances. Emotional intelligence is a non-negotiable skill to ensure that children grow up to be grounded human beings instead of entitled or emotionally scattered individuals. In addition, teachers are trained to use different techniques to promote EQ among students, which might not be possible with homeschooling.
Differentiating between right and wrong
“Babies are born with an innate sense of morality,” argues professor Paul Bloom from Yale University. However, do they always follow it as a separate topic to study? In addition, as learners get exposed to both good and bad elements, it is essential to help them learn how to differentiate between right and wrong. A young student may find a classmate’s pen too tempting to leave it. Whether to pick the pen up stealthily is a choice that a child would make depending upon their moral compass. That is why preschool education is imperative to teach moral values to children in a practical sense.
A preschooler is in an age bracket where children go through several complex psychosocial developments. Preschool education helps steer holistic cognitive growth in such formative years. So, think no more and get your child enrolled in the best preschools in Malaysia.
