By Angel Jenkins

While parents and children are in the middle of summer break, thoughts may quickly be turning to backpacks and big yellow buses. Long before the first day of kindergarten, in fact, human brains are firing at an astonishing rate, constructing the foundation of future learning. 

Science suggests that some 85 percent of brain development occurs before the age of 5. This realization has transformed how early childhood options are being viewed today. 

While early education programs may once have been seen as babysitting or basic childcare, today they are recognized as the starting point of lifelong curiosity for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. 

Looking forward to the upcoming fall enrollment season, proactive parents may begin to explore how these early environments are where children first learn to engage with the world beyond their family unit.

The informed parent sees how rolling on a mat or grasping at colorful rings is the beginning of learning during infancy. And, in high-quality infant programs, the curriculum is entirely relational. 

Infants learn language through the melodic back-and-forth of responsive caregiving — a process experts call serve-and-return interaction. When a baby coos and a teacher mirrors that sound back with an encouraging smile, neural pathways for communication spark to life.

Finding environments that prioritize deep emotional security and sensory exploration is key for parents considering fall enrollment for infants. Look for things like soft lighting, varied textures, and specialized materials designed to encourage reaching, tracking, and spatial awareness.

Because this will be a child’s first separation from home, parents want to choose an infant program to ensure that the earliest memories of the outside world are rooted in safety, warmth, and predictability.

Moving from infancy to toddlerhood, cognitive and physical needs shift dramatically. Toddlers are embracing their newfound independence, as they are now able to walk, run, and explore. Parents begin to see their children’s fierce desire to do certain things on their own. Early childhood programs designed for toddlers channel this chaotic energy into constructive discovery.

These environments emphasize autonomy, with activities that encourage toddlers to experiment with cause and effect — stacking blocks, sorting shapes, etc. Low shelves allow toddlers to independently pick and choose from a variety of educational opportunities.

With an emphasis on socialization, toddler programs explore parallel play, emotional regulation, and early empathy alongside peers as cooperative play begins to develop. The transition from self-centric to community-centric interaction is balanced through quiet storytimes and vigorous physical movement as structured parts of toddler programming.

A child’s capacity for complex thought and structured play expands exponentially as they age up from toddlerhood to preschool. Three- and 4-year-old preschool programs offer varied educational philosophies allowing parents to match their child’s unique interests and learning style.

Traditional play-based programs, utilizing guided play to teach literacy, math, and science concepts naturally are among options parents will find for preschoolers. Montessori and Reggio Emilia are two other examples of approaches used at preschools.

Montessori education emphasizes self-directed learning and hands-on cosmic education, while the Reggio Emilia approach views children as driven researchers who communicate through art, movement, and building. Nature-based forest preschools where the outdoor wilderness serves as the primary classroom are another option.

Fostering executive functioning skills — like cognitive flexibility, impulse control, and working memory — are goals of outstanding preschool programs regardless of which educational model they employ, because these are considered strong predictors of future academic success.

In order to determine which program might be best for one’s child, parents can weigh not only the practicalities such as location and scheduling, but also the intangibles such as how the program’s environment speaks to them and how the learning philosophy aligns with their own.

While having to make this choice may leave parents feeling overwhelmed, there are some key things to look for during tours that may help … Do teachers get on children’s eye level to communicate? Are they actively involved in lessons and play or just standing back? Do they utilize calm, respectful tones and redirection rather than punishment?

Are student projects displayed at eye level and do they imply individuality is encouraged over conformity? Does the environment prioritize hands-on learning over rigid, desk-based worksheets? Are classroom layouts child-centered, with books and toys on accessible shelves to encourage independent decision making?

Also consider the health and safety operations, such as cleanliness, secured access, and licensing and staff-to-child ratios. Detailed guidelines for what to consider during a tour plus a comprehensive preschool checklist can be found through organizations such as Zero to Three or NAEYC.

Despite being in the heart of summer, now is the time to investigate infant, toddler, and preschool care options. As parents expand their child’s circle of care, they also lay the groundwork for a successful educational journey. 

Angel Jenkins is features editor of Family Life Magazine. Research assistance from Google AI was used for this article.