How We Provided Our Children with a Great Head Start

Tracey Clayton - 29 Jun 17

As the lucky parents of three wonderful, curious kids, we’ve come across our fair share of challenges to create a suitable growing up environment for all of them. Ever since they were very young rascals, they showed clear signs of distinct personalities and preferences, and we wanted to support their learning spirit in any way possible.

During the first years of their lives, creating this positive mindset towards discovering and learning was the most precious gift we could give them in preparation for the real world and their education.

A home that grows with them

Kids crave new experiences, and our kids are no exception! When they see their oldest sister trying to play a song on the piano, rest assured, they will rush over to her and try to contribute the best they can! Still, helping them develop their natural abilities and explore their talents started as early as mastering their first words, and it hasn’t stopped since.

My hubby and I read to the kids, we had family storytelling sessions, we went hiking and collecting leaves, and taking pictures in nature. An occasional cartoon afternoon would sneak in, but we did our best to keep their screen-time at a minimum. And as they grew up, our home changed and filled with new challenges, because we wanted to guide their yearning for knowledge and give them the tools to learn.

A rewarding learning environment

Unlike the way our parents would simply enrol us into a good school straight from home, we’ve realized that our little nestlings could benefit from a pre-school environment that helps kids prepare and start school with a strong, positive mindset. We were lucky enough to discover the fantastic Wyndham Vale childcare centre with their incredible early literacy programs, and so we embarked on a learning journey with our kids.

Before our eldest daughter started school, she mastered quite a few skills (such as writing her own name, packing her school bag and working in a group), which gave her confidence, a desire to keep learning and nurtured her curious mind to never stop asking questions. Not to mention the fact that she made many friends, who she still invites to her birthdays every year.

The importance of artistic expression

From role-plays to drawing sessions, these activities may seem overly simplistic to have any real effect, but the truth is much different. The earlier you allow your kids to explore the arts, the more they are going to develop into emotionally and physically healthy, compassionate, confident kids.

Our second, shy little girl simply blossomed after starting her drama lessons. She discovered dancing on stage was her favourite activity, she would have tons of fun thinking up new choreographies with her friends, and her communication skills improved immeasurably.

A teacher-parent effort

Frankly, the classroom lessons alone or our isolated home effort would probably be much less effective in helping our kids become who they are today. The fact that we had support from such a valued teaching community made quite a difference in shaping our kids’ young minds into independent, loving beings.

I believe that introducing so much learning variety through play, socializing and exploring so early in their lives has played a pivotal role in giving them a strong head start not only for school, but even more so, for real life. They are now three happy little munchkins, slowly becoming aware of their potential, and I simply cannot wait to see what amazing things life has in store for them.

Tracey Clayton

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