At what age should children start school? This question has become more pressing in Nigeria as early childhood education gains popularity. Many parents enroll their children in school as early as under two (2), driven by a mix of necessity and developmental benefits. However, while early schooling offers advantages, it also presents challenges that must be addressed for children to thrive.
According to UNICEF, early childhood education plays a crucial role in a child’s cognitive and social development. Yet only 36% of Nigerian children aged 3–5 are enrolled in preschool.
As more parents turn to early childhood education, it is important to examine both its benefits and drawbacks, considering sociological, economic, and developmental perspectives.
It is therefore the aim of this article to explore these advantages and challenges that arise from early schooling in Nigerian school settings.
Positive Aspects of Early Childhood Education
In this section, we’ll discuss the positive aspects of early schooling under the following subheadings.
1. Providing a Safe and Reliable Environment for Children
In Nigeria, many workplaces lack daycare facilities where parents can safely leave their children during work hours. This leaves parents with few options, especially when leaving their children at home presents serious safety concerns.
At home, children are vulnerable to abuse from household staff, neighbors, or even family members. Moreover, the external threat of kidnapping is an increasing concern. Schools offer a structured, safe environment where children are protected and supervised. And this gives parents peace of mind while they focus on their professional responsibilities.
2. Encouraging Child Development
One of the most crucial aspects of early schooling is its role in promoting child development. At the age of three, children are at a critical stage of growth, and early exposure to structured learning environments helps foster essential social, emotional, and cognitive skills.
Through interactions with peers, children learn to communicate, share, and cooperate. Sensory development is also encouraged through activities like drawing, coloring, and physical play. All of which help improve motor skills such as hand-eye coordination and pencil grasp. These early developmental experiences provide children with a solid foundation for future learning.
3. Employment Opportunities
Another significant positive aspect of early schooling is the creation of employment opportunities. As the demand for daycare and preschool facilities grows, job opportunities for nannies, caregivers, and early childhood educators also expand.
This is particularly important in Nigeria, where many individuals, especially those with lower qualifications, struggle to find stable work. By employing in the early childhood education sector, schools contribute to economic stability while ensuring that children have access to quality care and education.
4. Fostering Connections Among Parents
Another important benefit of early schooling is the way it fosters connections among parents. When children from different families attend the same school, parents often find themselves interacting during drop-offs, pickups, or school events.
These interactions help parents bond over shared experiences and create a sense of community. They may exchange advice, resources, and support, which can be valuable in navigating the challenges of parenting and education. The social networks formed in this way can benefit the children as well, as parents collaborate to ensure the well-being of all involved.
5. Gender Roles and Women’s Empowerment
In Nigeria, early schooling provides a significant opportunity for women, particularly mothers, to re-enter the workforce or pursue further education. The availability of school options for young children allows mothers to balance their roles as caregivers and professionals, promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment.
It also challenges traditional gender roles by allowing women to take on more active roles in the workforce, contributing to the country’s broader social and economic development.
6. Peer Influence and Cultural Exchange
Schools are places where children from diverse backgrounds interact with one another. Therefore encouraging cultural exchange and teaching important social values like tolerance and cooperation.
These early experiences of diversity shape children’s understanding of the world and prepare them for a multicultural society. Peer influence can be positive, encouraging good behavior and learning from others, but it can also introduce challenges as children navigate the social dynamics of school life.
Challenges of Early Childhood Education
Some of the challenges of early schooling include:
1. Limited Individualized Attention
One of the key challenges of early schooling is that young children may not receive as much individualized attention as they would at home. At home, parents or caregivers can focus solely on the child’s specific needs, tailoring their care and education to suit the child’s developmental pace and preferences.
In a school setting, however, teachers must divide their attention among many students, which can limit the quality of care and support a child receives. This lack of individualized attention may be especially concerning for children who need more focused or specialized care.
2. Financial Burden on Families
While early schooling offers many benefits, it can also impose a significant financial burden on families, particularly those from low-income backgrounds.
Tuition fees, school supplies, and transportation costs can quickly add up, making it difficult for some parents to afford formal education for their children at such a young age.
The financial strain may force parents to make difficult choices, potentially affecting their overall well-being and financial stability.
3. Health Concerns
Young children in group settings are more susceptible to illnesses, as their immune systems are still developing. In schools, where many children interact closely, viruses and infections can spread quickly.
This can lead to increased absenteeism and stress for parents, who must manage their child’s health while balancing work and other responsibilities.
4. Impact on Parent-Child Bonding
One of the most significant emotional concerns for parents is the potential impact early schooling may have on the parent-child bond. At the age of three, children are still in a critical period of emotional and psychological development, and spending long hours away from their parents may affect the closeness of their relationship.
While schools provide essential care, some parents may feel that they are missing out on the formative years of their child’s development and bonding.
5. Stress on Teachers and Institutions
Schools that admit young children face the challenge of meeting their unique developmental needs. The lack of specialized facilities and adequately trained staff can lead to stress on both teachers and children.
Without proper training or resources, educators may struggle to provide the appropriate level of care and education, which can affect the overall quality of early schooling.
Conclusion
Early schooling in Nigeria offers significant benefits, from fostering child development and providing a safe environment to supporting women’s workforce participation.
However, challenges like affordability, limited individualized attention, health risks, and teacher stress must be addressed.
Expanding access to free or subsidized public preschools can ease financial strain on families. Reducing class sizes and improving teacher training will ensure children receive quality education. Schools should also implement better hygiene policies to prevent the spread of illnesses and consider flexible schedules to help maintain strong parent-child bonds.
Additionally, community-run daycare centers with government oversight can provide an alternative for families with limited options.
By prioritizing these solutions, Nigeria can create a more effective early education system that balances accessibility, quality, and family well-being.
