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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:
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. 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 Frued 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. 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 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:
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