Students are gearing up for the 2024 school year, a new period that brings challenges and opportunities for academic growth, social skills development, and increased mental health awareness and care. On their side, parents have the task of supporting their children throughout this transition, fostering a nurturing environment to help them adapt to new routines and lifestyles. This comprehensive guidebook aims to equip parents with insights for a smooth back-to-school transition.
Preschoolers are at a stage where social skills and behaviors are rapidly developing; however, many of them are showing signs of being developmentally behind. All of a child's early experiences, whether at home, in child care, or in other preschool settings, are educational. If we focus only on the education of children beginning with kindergarten, we're ignoring the science of early development.
Increased screen time and decreased physical activities have contributed to sedentary behaviors and obesity—a significant concern within this age group. The CDC reports that the prevalence of obesity among 2-to 5-year-olds was 12.7% from 2017–2020.
An Early Childhood Longitudinal Study report revealed that preschool-aged children now score lower on standardized tests designed to measure cognitive abilities. Language delays are particularly concerning, with pediatricians noting a substantial increase in referrals for speech therapy services.
Another emerging trend is the increase in anxiety and behavioral issues among preschoolers, which manifests as moodiness, aggression, or increased clinginess. A survey by the Children's Hospital of Chicago found that 71% of parents noticed new or worsening mental health conditions in their children.
At Maryvale, we are concerting efforts through our Early Education Centers. Our infant, toddler, and preschool programs were designed with these insights in mind, focusing on the children's social, academic, mental, and physical development in a safe and nurturing environment.
Social skill development has had a significant impact on this generation as well. A study highlights concerns among primary educators regarding the social interaction skills of students, observing delays in emotional understanding, conflict management, and cooperation among peers.
The health of primary school children is facing challenges, particularly concerning physical activity and obesity. According to the World Health Organization, over 390 million children and adolescents aged 5–19 were overweight or obese as of 2022. We must uphold the importance of enrolling our children in educational programs that foster physical activity and healthy nutrition.
A report from Common Sense Media found that screen time for children ages 8 and under had doubled, averaging nearly 5 hours a day. Excessive screen time is linked to various health issues, including sleep disturbances, obesity, and reduced physical activity.
Students, on average, were about five months behind in mathematics and four months behind in reading by the end of the school year 2021. This learning gap is more pronounced among low-income and minority students, exacerbating existing disparities in educational outcomes.