Question

The ideal medium of instruction to provide preschool education is:

• A. Regional language
• B. Mother tongue
• C. English
• D. Any language

Hint:

"Language of the Heart" = Mother Tongue. Education starting in the mother tongue leads to better long-term academic performance even in a second language later.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
This question pertains to the pedagogical best practices for early childhood care and education (ECCE) regarding language.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:

• Preschool children (ages 3-6) are in a critical stage of language acquisition and cognitive mapping.

• Experts in child development and national policies (like the National Education Policy 2020) emphasize that the mother tongue (B) is the ideal medium of instruction.

• Learning in the language spoken at home reduces the cognitive load on the child, allowing them to grasp concepts more easily without the barrier of an unfamiliar language.

• It fosters a positive self-image and ensures a smooth transition from home to school.

• While regional languages (A) are often the same as the mother tongue, the term "Mother Tongue" is more precise as it accounts for various dialects and home languages.

Step 3: Final Answer: Mother tongue is the ideal medium of instruction for preschool education.