Puja's Educational Blog

In today’s digital age, young children are growing up surrounded by screens, phones, tablets, televisions and even smart toys. While technology offers convenience, endless entertainment and quick learning tools, many parents and educators are left wondering: Is screen time really helping young minds or is story time still the better choice? Understanding the difference between these two experiences is essential for supporting healthy brain development in the early years. The Impact of Screen Time on Young Children Screen time isn’t always harmful; it depends on what children watch, how long they watch and whether an adult is present. However, research shows that excessive or unsupervised screen use can affect: 1. Language Development Screens often replace real conversations. When children watch passively, they miss opportunities to practice speaking, listening and building vocabulary. 2. Attention Span Fast-moving visuals can overstimulate the brain, making it harder for young children...

 Early learning doesn’t only happen in schools and classrooms, it happens right at home, in the simplest moments of everyday life. As parents and caregivers, you have countless opportunities to nurture curiosity, independence, and foundational skills through everyday interactions. Here are some fun, easy, and meaningful activities that support your child’s learning journey at home. 1. Talk and Listen: The Power of Conversation Whether you’re cooking together or walking to the store, every conversation is a chance to build language and thinking skills. Ask open-ended questions like: “What do you think will happen next?” “Why do you like this?” These help children express themselves, think critically and learn new vocabulary.   2. Read Together, Every Day Reading is one of the most powerful learning tools. Make it a daily routine to read picture books, storybooks or even labels on food packets. Point to words as you read to build print awareness and as...

Curiosity is the heartbeat of early childhood learning. Long before children can read, write or count, they learn by wondering, exploring and asking questions. In the early years, curiosity fuels brain development, shapes problem-solving skills and builds the foundation for lifelong learning. In simple terms: a curious child is an active learner. 1. Curiosity: The Natural Starting Point of Learning Every young child comes into the world eager to understand how things work. Why does the ball bounce? Where do butterflies go? What happens if I mix these colours? These small questions reflect a big truth: children learn not because they are told to, but because they want to. Curiosity sparks engagement and helps children make connections with the world around them.   2. How Curiosity Fuels Brain Development During the early years, children’s brains are rapidly forming neural connections. When a child explores, experiments or asks “why,” their brain is actively: Str...

In the early years, learning isn’t about memorising facts or sitting still for long lessons, it’s about exploration, curiosity and discovery. Young children are natural learners. Every touch, question and observation helps them make sense of the world around them. Understanding how they learn best allows educators and parents to create environments that nurture a lifelong love of learning. 1. Learning Begins with Curiosity Children are born explorers. They ask endless “why” and “how” questions because they are genuinely eager to understand how things work. This curiosity fuels their learning journey. When teachers encourage inquiry rather than give ready-made answers, children learn to think critically, problem-solve and develop confidence in their abilities. Tip for educators: Encourage open-ended questions like “What do you think will happen if…?” or “Why do you think that happened?” These spark investigation and deeper thinking.   2. Play Is the Foundation of Learning...