THE IMPORTANCE OF FEELING CHALLENGED
Early years education plays a critical role in a child’s development, as it sets the foundation for their future learning and growth.
One crucial aspect of this education stage is the need to challenge children appropriately, by providing them with stimulating and engaging experiences. This article highlights the significance of challenging children in this stage.
Challenging children during early years, encourage the development of cognitive skills by presenting them with age-appropriate tasks and activities that are slightly beyond their current abilities. In Fontenebro International School infants we have created a special spot within our learning corners called “I want to know more corner” where children can go voluntarily while working in corners, and carry out activities that challenge them and involve another point of difficulty when carrying out the proposed activity.
The areas in which we have implemented this new learning corner are: Visuospatial area (with activities of longitudinal distances, capacity and mass, concept maps, etc.), logical-mathematical area (double entry boards, pattern copying, etc.) attention area (associations, search for the intruder, mazes) and difficulty resolution area, with more dynamic activities such as treasure hunts, sudoku, improvised dramas.
And throughout the school term, various activities are added to motivate the children and to make sure they always have several options to continue challenging themselves day after day.
Children who are exposed to challenges early on, are more likely to develop a growth mindset positive attitude towards learning and willingness to take on new challenges in their academic journey.
Janina Ramirez
Early Years Teacher