Role of a parent as a facilitator during early childhood years

Early childhood is a very challenging stage for children as well as parents. A toddler is constantly juggling with the new strange world outside the house. Their curious mind is always observing, investigating and drawing conclusions based on what they experience. Here, the most important part is help them retain the good and discard the bad. 

Toddlers are deeply influenced by Parents. They are keen observers of all the actions and are smart imitators too. They remember the conduct and replicate even more swiftly. In such situations, the role of a parent becomes highly sensitive and significant. 

Parents have to act as learning facilitators and social facilitators to ensure that the child has picked up the right deed. When we talk about a learning facilitator, our focus is a more towards stepping into the shoes of a teacher at home. The most important aspect of being a facilitator is spending quality time with the child and understanding his pace of learning. In early childhood days, the child is given early literacy lessons which build his foundation for formal education. At this stage, parents and teachers share a partnership in enhancing the cognitive and motor skills. 

When toddlers enter school, they slowly get acquainted with a teacher and school as an institution. The velocity of this attachment is directly linked with parents as facilitators. The motivation that a parent provides through conversations, activities and discussions enhances the teacher-student relation. Parents also have to actively share information with the teachers for a better impact. Parents have to dynamically participate in the daily routine of the child. This satisfies their emotional and social needs for better mental health and stability resulting in improved cognitive elements and boost in self esteem. 

A parent is the first one to understand the growing and changing needs of their child. When a parent acts like a facilitator at home, it brings about a consistency in the school and home environment. This positively impacts the learning environment of a child. When parents practice educational activities at home right from early childhood days, child have a better exposure to early literacy. They show a vast improvement in grasping and retaining power. They recognise objects faster, learn letters more effectively and develop high numerical skills. Along with this, appropriate action at home; ensure value based learning which reflects in the behaviour of the child. When Parents play the role of a facilitator, they proactively develop a multi talented child. They understand the interest of the child and provide him exposure in various fields for skill and interest development. 

Role of a parent as a facilitator in the early childhood days is very significant in moulding the intellectual power, personality, value system and self discipline of a child. With a child oriented curriculum, effective teacher and a vigilant facilitator at home, a child can truly do wonders right from the beginning in every aspect of his life.