early childhood education

Early childhood education covers the education of a child from the period from birth to eight years of age.

What is Early Childhood Education?

Early childhood spans the human life from birth to age 8. Education during this period is holistic in that it focuses on physical, intelligence/cognitive, emotional, and social education (PIES). Although early childhood education does not have to occur in the absence of the parent or primary caregiver, this term is most often used to denote education by someone other than these people. It is important to note that both research in the field and early childhood educators view the parents as an integral part of the early childhood education process. Early childhood education takes many forms depending on the theoretical and educational beliefs of the educator or parent. Other terms that are often used interchangeably with "early childhood education" are "early childhood care", "early care", and "early education."

Child development

There are different developmental domains of children which all relate to each other:

• Physical development - Concerning the physical growth and the development of both gross(eg. walking) and fine motor(eg. finger movement) control of the body.
• Perception and sensory development - How a child functions using the senses and the ability to process the information gained.
• Communication and language development - Using visual and sound stimuli, especially in the acquisition of language, also in the exchange of thoughts and feelings.
• Cognitive development - Concerning how the individual thinks and react.
• Emotional Development - Concerning children's increasing awareness and control of their feelings and how does he react to these feelings in a given situation.
• Social Development - Concerning the child's identity, their relationship with others, and understanding their place within a social environment.

Recent studies on infant brain development show most of a person's neurons are formed from ages 0-5. If a young child doesn't receive sufficient nurturing, nutrition, parental/caregiver interaction, and stimulus during this crucial period, the child may be left with a developmental deficit that hampers his or her success in kindergarten and beyond. Worst case scenarios such as those found in the Romanian orphanges demonstrate how the lack of proper social interaction and development of attachement affect the developing child.Children must receive attention, affection,and respect from their caregivers to develop in a healthy manner.

Theory & Curriculum

A wide array of educational philosophies circulate through the field. Some professionals adhere to more of a behaviorist theory as developed by John B. Watson, B. F. Skinner and Edward Thorndike. Others hold to the more unstructured maturationist theory popularized by Jacques Rousseau and Maria Montessori. Additionally, stage theories such as those of Sigemund Freud and Erik Erikson are used to look at social and emotional development. Currently early childhood teacher education programs teach a mix of theories dominated by the constructivism (learning theory) theory as put forth by Jean Piaget and Lev Vygotsky.

Each philosophy forms the undergirding theory behind its own selection of school curriculum used throughout the world. Behaviorist ideas dominant direct instruction methods (like DISTAR). Constructivist ideas dominate curriculums like High/Scope. While maturational theory is the underpining for Montessori. A mix of maturationist and constructionist ideas supply the base theory for the Reggio Emilia approach.

The curriculum in a "Head Start" program is designed to meet the needs of each child. One goal is to build self-esteem that is seen as necessary to future success in school. Staff encourage self-confidence, curiosity, and self-discipline. A variety of learning experiences are designed to meet the children's needs in the various areas of development. Staff should work as a team to implement the new government issued curriculum and teach children, based on their interest and in a fun way. Parent involvement should be the heart of the program. Preschool children must be provided with early literacy, awareness and intervention in order to perform better during the later years. This will lead the to success once they enter schools,and put them on the right track by being well prepared with the right and appropriate equipment.

Pedagogy

The philosophy of early childhood education is largely child-centered education. Therefore, there is a focus on the importance of play. Play provides children with the opportunity to actively explore, manipulate, and interact with their environment. It encourages children to investigate, create, discover and motivate them to take risks and add to their understanding of the world. It challenges children to achieve new levels of understanding of events, people and the environment by interacting with concrete materials. Hands-on activities create authentic experiences in which children begin to feel a sense of mastery over their world and a sense of belonging and understanding of what is going on their environment. This philosophy follows with Piaget's ideals that children should actively participate in their world and various environments so as to ensure they are not 'passive' learners but 'little scientists' who are actively engaged.

Providers

Providers of early childhood education go by many names:

• early childhood programs,
• child development programs,
• children's centers or day care,
• preschool,
• head start programs,
• early head start programs,
• early intervetnion programs, and
• kindergarten.
• Family Childcare Providers (In a home environment)

Early Childhood Educational Professional

The teachers of early childhood education often hold the titles of early childhood professional, early childhood teacher, early childhood educator, early childhood practitioner, early childhood provider, or early childhood caregiver. In addition, there are the follwing auxiliary positions:

• Aide in the public school system
• Author of children's books
• Child care teachers
• Children's art instructor
• Children's librarian
• Director of preschool or Head Start center
• Family child care providers
• Parenting Coach
• Preschool teacher
• Children's museum
• Elementary School Teacher
• Science Centres/Exploration and Discovery Museums
• Special Needs Educator
• Child care specialist
• Child life specialist
• Childhood Education Specialist
• Children's television broadcasting
• ESL facilitator
• Early interventionists
• Speech pathologists
• Play therapists
• Psychometrist
• Councillor
• Inclusion consultant
• Social worker
• Behavioural specialist
• Integration facilitator
• Guidance counselor
• Nanny
• models

See also

• Marilyn Segal

References

• Herr, Judy. (2002). Working with Young Children. Tinley Park, Illinois: The Goodheart-Willcox Company, Inc. ISBN 1-56637822-2.

External links

• CDC's "Learn the Signs. Act Early.” campaign - Information for parents on early childhood development and developmental disabilities
• Information and Child Care Courses From National Institute of Childcare and Education, UK. A range of useful information about UN Convention on Rights of the Child; why training is essential in the Child Care environment; and how to check the quality of the childcare your child receives. Plus the Importance of Play in Early Childhood Education.
• Quality Child Care From University of Florida/IFAS Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, Factors in choosing quality child care.
• Baby sign language