If not properly taught, early education can be harmful

If not properly taught, early education can be harmful

T. Sima Gunawan, Contributor, Jakarta

If you ask anyone which they prefer to buy: books or food, most would likely prefer the latter. Maybe it's because they're hungry; but another reason is that they don't have a strong reading habit.

Developing a reading habit is actually something that can be taught, and this should be introduced to children from a very young age. Stimulating the reading habit is more than just teaching children to read. Even though they can read this article, for example, does not automatically mean that they like reading. Worse, many of them might not understand what they read.

In other words, as Wendy Armunando from Global Jaya bilingual elementary school puts it, they may know but they do not understand. As a result, the children may master the theory but they cannot put it into practice.

Therefore, the method of teaching is not less important than the subject that is being taught.

For example, if you want to tell the children that the ball is round, you can't just say it because they do not yet have the concept of "round" and they might question what a ball is," said Wendy, the Indonesian principal of the school's junior primary level, which teaches students from three to five years old.

The best way to teach children is by stimulating all of their senses. That's why in order to teach children the concept of 'round', the teacher needs to bring along a ball or another round object, allowing them to see and touch it.

Children can learn about serious subjects and still have fun; they may be relaxed and at the same time absorb knowledge. As a matter of fact, preschool is quite important because the fastest phase in the development of children is during the time when they are between one and four years old.

"If during this 'golden age' stimulation for children is provided correctly and in balance, they will feel the benefits throughout their life," Wendy said.

There are three aspects that need to be covered in the stimulation: cognitive, psycho-motoric and affective. Things should be taught step by step. To meet the expectation of parents who want their children to be able to count from one to 100, for instance, the teacher might just tell the students to memorize this. As a result, the students may be able to count to 100, but they do not really understand about figures.

"Early education is really important for the development of children. If this is not handled correctly, the result will be detrimental," she warned. "Math, for example, could become a subject the children hate most."

On the other hand, with a good education system, children will find that learning is fun. They will love learning and become fond of reading, and enjoy math, natural sciences as well as other subjects. This will surely boost their study not only in primary school, but also in high school and even at university.

A good preschool has a spacious area to allow children to engage in outdoor activities as it is important for them to run and play and exercise their muscles.

Even though preschool is important for the development of a child, the government does not regard this as compulsory. According to the government, compulsory education is from year one to year six (elementary school). There is a plan to extend compulsory education from year one to year nine, or Junior High School, but the realization of this plan is still very patchy.

Kindergarten, called Taman Kanak-kanak (TK) in Indonesia, is not compulsory and there are no state kindergartens. But kindergartens run by private institutions can be found in every corner of the city. There are two or three levels of kindergarten, respectively for children of three, four and five years old. Younger children go to what is called a playgroup or a nursery school.

State elementary schools do not require new students to go to kindergarten first. But many private elementary schools will only take students who have passed kindergarten.

As the enrollment process at elementary schools includes a test for the children, many parents who want to send their children to their favorite elementary school will send their children to join a preschool at the earliest age possible.

At preschool, not only do children prepare themselves for elementary school, they also socialize with one and another while learning and having fun.

Nita, whose youngest child is going to a local kindergarten, said that her girl, who used to be shy, has become emboldened. "Once I took her to my office, and she dared to talk to my colleague. Before she went to the kindergarten, she always kept silent," said Nita, a writer.

She is also happy as her child has become independent and creative, keeping herself occupied with various activities.

Another thing which makes her proud is that her little girl can speak a little English, which is also taught at her school.