If not properly taught, early education can be harmful<\/p>\n
T. Sima Gunawan, Contributor, Jakarta<\/p>\n
If you ask anyone which they prefer to buy: books or food,
\nmost would likely prefer the latter. Maybe it's because they're
\nhungry; but another reason is that they don't have a strong
\nreading habit.<\/p>\n
Developing a reading habit is actually something that can be
\ntaught, and this should be introduced to children from a very
\nyoung age. Stimulating the reading habit is more than just
\nteaching children to read. Even though they can read this
\narticle, for example, does not automatically mean that they like
\nreading. Worse, many of them might not understand what they read.<\/p>\n
In other words, as Wendy Armunando from Global Jaya bilingual
\nelementary school puts it, they may know but they do not
\nunderstand. As a result, the children may master the theory but
\nthey cannot put it into practice.<\/p>\n
Therefore, the method of teaching is not less important than
\nthe subject that is being taught.<\/p>\n
For example, if you want to tell the children that the ball is
\nround, you can't just say it because they do not yet have the
\nconcept of "round" and they might question what a ball is," said
\nWendy, the Indonesian principal of the school's junior primary
\nlevel, which teaches students from three to five years old.<\/p>\n
The best way to teach children is by stimulating all of their
\nsenses. That's why in order to teach children the concept of
\n'round', the teacher needs to bring along a ball or another round
\nobject, allowing them to see and touch it.<\/p>\n
Children can learn about serious subjects and still have fun;
\nthey may be relaxed and at the same time absorb knowledge. As a
\nmatter of fact, preschool is quite important because the fastest
\nphase in the development of children is during the time when they
\nare between one and four years old.<\/p>\n
"If during this 'golden age' stimulation for children is
\nprovided correctly and in balance, they will feel the benefits
\nthroughout their life," Wendy said.<\/p>\n
There are three aspects that need to be covered in the
\nstimulation: cognitive, psycho-motoric and affective. Things
\nshould be taught step by step. To meet the expectation of parents
\nwho want their children to be able to count from one to 100, for
\ninstance, the teacher might just tell the students to memorize
\nthis. As a result, the students may be able to count to 100, but
\nthey do not really understand about figures.<\/p>\n
"Early education is really important for the development of
\nchildren. If this is not handled correctly, the result will be
\ndetrimental," she warned. "Math, for example, could become a
\nsubject the children hate most."<\/p>\n
On the other hand, with a good education system, children will
\nfind that learning is fun. They will love learning and become
\nfond of reading, and enjoy math, natural sciences as well as
\nother subjects. This will surely boost their study not only in
\nprimary school, but also in high school and even at university.<\/p>\n
A good preschool has a spacious area to allow children to
\nengage in outdoor activities as it is important for them to run
\nand play and exercise their muscles.<\/p>\n
Even though preschool is important for the development of a
\nchild, the government does not regard this as compulsory.
\nAccording to the government, compulsory education is from year
\none to year six (elementary school). There is a plan to extend
\ncompulsory education from year one to year nine, or Junior High
\nSchool, but the realization of this plan is still very patchy.<\/p>\n
Kindergarten, called Taman Kanak-kanak (TK) in Indonesia, is
\nnot compulsory and there are no state kindergartens. But
\nkindergartens run by private institutions can be found in every
\ncorner of the city. There are two or three levels of
\nkindergarten, respectively for children of three, four and five
\nyears old. Younger children go to what is called a playgroup or a
\nnursery school.<\/p>\n
State elementary schools do not require new students to go to
\nkindergarten first. But many private elementary schools will only
\ntake students who have passed kindergarten.<\/p>\n
As the enrollment process at elementary schools includes a
\ntest for the children, many parents who want to send their
\nchildren to their favorite elementary school will send their
\nchildren to join a preschool at the earliest age possible.<\/p>\n
At preschool, not only do children prepare themselves for
\nelementary school, they also socialize with one and another while
\nlearning and having fun.<\/p>\n
Nita, whose youngest child is going to a local kindergarten,
\nsaid that her girl, who used to be shy, has become emboldened.
\n"Once I took her to my office, and she dared to talk to my
\ncolleague. Before she went to the kindergarten, she always kept
\nsilent," said Nita, a writer.<\/p>\n
She is also happy as her child has become independent and
\ncreative, keeping herself occupied with various activities.<\/p>\n
Another thing which makes her proud is that her little girl
\ncan speak a little English, which is also taught at her school.<\/p>",
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