PARENTING GUIDE SERIES #2
HOW DO PARENTS USUALLY MEASURE A CHILD’S DEVELOPMENT? KNOWLEDGE?
Many parents tend to use the number of letters, vocabulary words, or math problems their child can remember as the “sole” measure of their development. But during the preschool years, a child’s development is not only about what they can remember, but also about the foundational skills they are building for their future learning and growth.
At this stage, children learn not only from what they are taught, but also from what they experience. Research on brain development shows that multisensory experiences such as touching, smelling, tasting, observing, and moving give the brain opportunities to receive and connect information, supporting the development of cognitive and language skills, as well as foundational capacities for learning.
Therefore, instead of simply “testing knowledge,” parents can “enrich their child’s everyday experiences” through simple activities such as picking vegetables, smelling herbs, tasting soup, or squeezing an orange. These everyday moments give children opportunities to observe, feel, and explore through multiple senses. When children ask questions, instead of immediately giving them the answer, parents can ask open-ended questions that encourage them to make predictions and investigate - nurturing curiosity and a natural love of learning.
“The first five years are not a race to learn ahead, but a time to build the foundations for a lifetime.” The “Parenting Guide” series will take parents on a journey from understanding how the brain develops, to how children learn, the role of emotions, and ultimately, what children truly need from their parents.