Early years matters

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When it comes to developing a lifelong passion for learning, laying a solid foundation during a child’s early years education is important. In fact, according to experts, a child’s foray into early schooling not only determines the success of their future learning, but it can also go a long way in helping them to develop as a person.

“The Nursery year is important because it is often the first time a child enters ‘schooling’, be it at a kindergarten, a childcare centre or school, getting this right is vital,” said Ruth Hanson, Head of Campus at Nord Anglia International Pre-School (NAIS HK).

She explained that this is the time when children move from the safety of their family structures to becoming part of another community where other adults play a role in their educational and personal development.

“It is in the Nursery Year at NAISHK where we see children learning how to collaborate, become resilient and express themselves more effectively,” she said. And aside from developing skills such as phonics, number sense, or even how to respond to other people’s actions and choices, this is also the time when they begin to “discover their own sense of self and awe and wonder and develop a true love for learning that can last a lifetime”, she added.

Of course, the Covid-19 pandemic has been disruptive for early learners in the past few years. Given that the Nursery year is when children typically begin to socialise with others in a school environment, the disruptions have meant less physical and social interactions, the very essence of early years learning. However, NAIS HK hasn’t allowed this to stop them from fulfilling their mission.

The school has found creative ways to ensure that school and home learning can work hand in hand for the benefit of its students. In fact, Hanson said that their experience has shown that there are plenty of opportunities for play and socialisation when physical schools are shut.