The early years in children’s development are prominent in building their personality and shaping their character. Preschool offers an educational framework for children between the ages of 3 to 6 that significantly contributes to their development and addresses their needs at the start of their journey through the state education system. It is important for this first encounter to be a constructive experience for children and their families, establishing a sense of trust and confidence that will accompany them from preschool throughout the whole school system.
In their preschool children mingle with their peer group, forming various social interactions. They learn social mores and acceptable behaviour patterns; they also develop sensitivity, awareness and empathy as well as moral values and social integrity. Through their diverse experiences, the children become acquainted with the world and their natural curiosity leads them to investigate further, solve problems and realize their potential in a variety of subjects. Young children are prompted to play in a wide range of playing experiences: symbolic games, role-playing (socio-dramatic games) as well as structured’ rule-based games. Children learn to express themselves in a variety of ways; preschool provides them with the space to experience movement and develops their self-confidence and a sense of competence and control. Each child’s unique personality is developed while emphasizing individuality on the one hand and a feeling of belonging on the other. Children become aware of others’ emotions and viewpoints; they develop the ability to regulate their feelings, adapt their behaviour to engage in current activities and are able to delay gratification. They learn to cope with frustrations and to focus on a goal. They develop a sense of competence this widens the social world widens and they establish interactions with children of their own age and with adults outside their family circle. They acquire life skills and social norms and learn to solve conflicts in ways that enable social relationships and friendships.
Language Development: there is a deeper understanding of spoken language and children become more articulate, expressing themselves more fluently. Lingual abilities develop and they are able to hold a conversation; their vocabulary and conceptual abilities grow as well as the correct use of syntax in speech. Their introduction to books and other reading material encourages them to learn to read and write.