The Research Behind Playgarden Online

Playgarden Online believes that early childhood education is key for a lifetime of learning and school success. We rely on the research by experts to constantly improve our programs, in the hopes of providing the best possible experience for whole-child development.

Early childhood education gives children the foundation they need for a lifetime of learning and success.

Studies show that there are notable benefits, both long-term and short-term, for students that are provided with a high-quality education before the age of five.

Children in early childhood education programs are:

“Access to effective, diverse programs breaks down structural barriers that have prevented all children–particularly children of color and children from disadvantaged families–from achieving their full potential.”

The first years of life have a profound effect on a child’s future.

“In this formative stage of life, a baby’s brain can form more than 1 million new brain connections every single second – a pace never repeated again.

Early moments matter. That’s why the right food, stimulation and care – or eat, play, love – are essential to a baby’s brain development in the first 1,000 days of life.”

Educational TV and Media can have a positive impact on a child’s development, and provide caregivers with resources for school readiness.

“Beneficial effects of television programs with academic and prosocial messages have long been documented. Preschool children who view academically oriented television programs are often better prepared for school, and are often even better students when they attend high school.” 

“Educational television can serve as a window to new experiences, enrich academic knowledge, enhance attitudes and motivation, and nurture social skills.”

“Decades of research support our understanding that, created with the intent to teach, educational television can go far toward supporting a child’s academic and prosocial development, particularly a child living in poverty who may lack access to other available educational and cognitive resources.”

“Educational programming emphasizing cognitive and language skills can have substantial and long-lasting effects on children’s early reading and later academic success... A recent report found that children who watched educational programming between the ages of 2 and 3 scored higher at age 3 on tests of vocabulary, letter and word recognition, and school readiness. There is even evidence that these positive effects can persist through high school... Taken together, these studies provide compelling evidence that the educational television experience can have positive, long-lasting academic effects.

Studies Support Benefits of Educational Media for Reading and Early Literacy.

“Research on ict applications for early literacy shows that technology contributes to children's early literacy development, provided that it is used in an adequate way.”

“Reading and pre-reading skills are a crucial component of children’s healthy development. Evidence suggests that these skills set the stage for successful school entry and later academic success. For example, children who enter school with good pre-reading skills are more likely to be placed in higher ability groups and perceived as more competent by teachers than children who enter with lower pre-reading skills. They are also more likely than children without such skills to succeed in the first years of schooling, leading to a trajectory of further academic success and positive attitudes toward school.”

Playtime helps in overall child development

Play enhances brain development, improves ability to learn and promotes well-being. Free play and guided play promotes the learning of social and emotional skills, the development of emotional intelligence, and the enjoyment of active learning, which improves school readiness. 

“Research demonstrates that developmentally appropriate play with parents and peers is a singular opportunity to promote the social-emotional, cognitive, language, and self-regulation skills that build executive function and a prosocial brain. Furthermore, play supports the formation of the safe, stable, and nurturing relationships with all caregivers that children need to thrive.”

Does High-Quality Preschool Education Make a Difference?

Major Findings: High/Scope Perry Preschool Study at 40

Our research means a better early childhood education for your little one. 

Other homeschool programs don’t offer the hands-on support that children under 5 need, and many don’t even offer enrollment options prior to Kindergarten. Those that do often rely on gamification to keep children engaged, but cartoons have a crucial effect on the development process of a child who is not able to distinguish real from imaginary yet.

Learn with REAL teachers and students today for free!

Back to Top