Premier Preschool Nurtures Skills Children Need to Succeed in the Future

Adults love to ask young children what they want to be when they grow up – an astronaut? A teacher? An artist? But even children’s imaginations can’t dream up the careers they might have. According to the World Economic Forum, 65 percent of the jobs children will have in the future don’t yet exist. While the economy of the future is a mystery, the skills needed to succeed in it may not be.

A recent national survey of human resources (HR) managers responsible for hiring revealed that critical thinking, problem solving, teamwork, self-control, adaptability and working memory – collectively referred to as executive function skills – are essential to succeeding in the workplace. In fact, survey respondents agreed that these skills are more important than good grades, technical skills and other factors when it comes to hiring. And research suggests these skills will only become more valued as society evolves.

However, 70 percent of the HR managers surveyed believe entry-level employees are rarely proficient in executive function skills, and 25 percent believe proficiency has declined over time – a concerning trend given that the majority of respondents also agree executive function skills are difficult to teach.

Research shows that the executive function skills our globalized world demands have their foundational roots in early childhood. The Harvard Center on the Developing Child reports that children’s early life experiences influence their capacity for executive function skills, and laying the foundation for such skills is one of the most important tasks of the early childhood years.

“At Primrose School of Ashburn, we have the privilege of partnering with parents to help shape children’s minds and lay the foundation for future success,” said Adela Taboada, Owner of Primrose School Ashburn with campuses in North Ashburn and in Broadlands. “That’s why we focus on nurturing these crucial executive function skills – along with skills like literacy, math, generosity, empathy and more – so children develop a foundation that empowers them to be anything they want when they grow up.”

At Primrose School of Ashburn, children learn and practice executive function skills every day in age-appropriate ways through the Primrose-exclusive Balanced Learning® approach. For example, Pre-K and Kindergarten students do an activity that challenges them to create boats that float from classroom materials. Repurposing classroom objects to create something new requires adaptability, and the children deepen their working memory as they remember and follow instructions. Children also work together on the challenge, naturally engaging in teamwork. Even seemingly small actions occur each day to nurture these important skills, such as Primrose teachers asking children “why do you think” and “what if” questions as they play to promote critical thinking and problem solving.

At home, parents can help nurture executive function skills through simple and fun activities. For example, songs like the hokey pokey and games like Simon Says that require children to move in a particular way at a specific time help cultivate self-control.

To learn about any of the two campuses of the Primrose School of Ashburn, visit www.PrimroseAshburn.com or www.PrimroseBroadlands.com. You can also call 703-724-9050 or 703-724-4200.