Discovery Point Blog
Talkative Children May Do Better in Preschool
Talkative children who engage easily in conversations with adults and other children are likely to do better in the preschool environment, according to a study conducted by researchers at the University of Miami. The research was conducted using data from the Head Start Program and compared the performance of children who were reserved and shy against those who were outgoing and assertive in conversation with peers and teachers. Students who exhibited extroverted traits and who were considered talkative were more likely to obtain the attention of their teachers and to achieve greater success in the preschool environment. For parents looking for a personalized learning experience for their young children, Discovery Point offers educational experiences that allow every child to achieve his or her full potential.
Differing Levels of Attention for Extroverts vs. Introverts
According to Rebecca J. Bulotsky-Shearer, the principal investigator in the study, students who present as overactive and overly talkative can be disruptive in some school environments. The added degree of engagement that these children require, however, can give them a real edge over introverted children. In essence, extroverts demand attention and may even be provided with tailor-made educational plans that cater to their style of learning and their particular needs. Quieter students, by contrast, can sometimes be overlooked. Because they are not disruptive and do not assert their need for individualized attention, these introverted preschoolers may not derive the same benefits as their louder and more boisterous classmates.
Preparing Children for Kindergarten and Beyond
These findings highlight the importance of finding the right preschool environment for young children. Parents with quiet or shy toddlers should look into the teaching methods used to elicit participation from introverted children. Smaller class sizes are important to ensure that teachers are not overwhelmed by the demands of more assertive and outgoing children. A low teacher-to-child ratio also allows greater interaction and more diverse learning opportunities to allow every child the chance to shine in the academic environment. By focusing on the strengths and achievements of every preschool student, the right educational program can tone down the overly boisterous behavior of the excessively extroverted child while building the confidence and self-esteem of more introverted students at the same time.
Structured Environments for Preschool Students
Most preschool-aged children do best in a safe and nurturing environment that offers clear boundaries and a consistent schedule for various activities. This can also provide added help in managing the transition from preschool to kindergarten. By providing limits and providing louder, more verbally assertive students with fair limits to prevent disruptions, teachers can allow less outspoken children to develop their own verbal skills and to achieve greater confidence in the academic setting. This can help to even out the attention paid to each student and can ensure that each child gets his or her fair share of the spotlight in the modern preschool classroom.
At Discovery Point, the teachers and administrators are committed to providing each child with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in later academic pursuits. By treating each student as an individual and fostering independent thinking in the classroom, these educational professionals can set the stage for a lifelong love of learning and a higher degree of success in the challenges that lie ahead.