Watch this lecture by Ms. Rowena Phair—Deputy Head of Division in the Directorate for Education and Skills at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)—to learn what is most important to young children’s development.
Early learning experiences can improve later success in school and child well-being. Drawing on data from the OECD’s International Early Learning and Child Well-being Study (IECS), Ms. Rowena Phair explains just which aspects of early learning environments matter most to 5-year-olds.
As it turns out, play, choice, opportunities for creative expression and learning are what children value to the most, and are most essential to their development.
Play is fun and helps children to build social connections, co-operate and develop language skills. Providing children with choice in what activities they do allows them a sense of control.
Activities like drawing, colouring, painting, building, modelling clay and dancing foster creativity, innovation and problem-solving skills.
Children also find satisfaction and happiness in learning. In the words of one 5-year-old interviewed for the study, learning may be “hard at first but then you get better and better”.
Armed with this knowledge, educators, parents and other caregivers may be better equipped to support children in reaching their fullest potential.
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