Page 2 - Final Lesson-1.pmd

Early Childhood Care and Education : Meaning and Significance

‘Education’. Early childhood is the period from birth to six years. According to
the National Policy on ECCE, 2013, there are three sub-stages of early years,
Notes each with its own age-specific developmental priorities. These sub-stages are:
(a) conception to birth (b) birth to three years and (c) three to six years. This is
the most important period of life characterized by rapid growth and development.
By ‘Care’ we mean providing love and affection and ensuring a healthy, hygienic,
protective and stimulating environment for all children. ‘Education’ is a process
of acquiring knowledge, skills, attitudes and values through exploration,
experimentation, observation, participation and interaction. All such experiences
help children learn more about themselves and the world around them.

Thus, ECCE refers to providing care including health and nutrition as well as
early learning opportunities to all young children. A protective and stimulating
environment consisting of play-based and developmentally appropriate activities
are vital for children’s physical-motor, cognitive, socio-emotional and language
development.

Hence, ECCE forms the basis for overall development, later learning and wellbeing
of children.

1.1.2 Significance of ECCE

Compared to the other periods of life, the first six years of children’s life are very
important due to fast growth and development in all domains. Researches in the
field of neuroscience confirm the importance of early years in children’s life.
According to these researches, development of brain takes place at a rapid rate
during these years. By the time a child is six years old, 90% of brain development
has taken place. As a result, this stage is considered crucial for the holistic
development of children especially for the development of the brain. Any disruption
in the developmental processes due to heredity or environment may affect
adversely. Lack of a healthy home and school environment, paucity of stimulation,
inadequate nutrition and poor health care are some of the common factors that
lead to developmental delays among children. During these years, children acquire
various physical-motor, cognitive, socio-emotional and language competencies.
Hence, they should be provided opportunities to grow in a stimulating and engaging
environment with positive experiences. Quality early care and education provided
to young children through ECCE programmes enables them to acquire age-
appropriate knowledge and skills which further help them adjust better in a formal
school environment.

Thus, it is necessary to accord prime importance to ECCE for children to develop
in an integrated, holistic and healthy manner. Different ECCE service providers
must ensure access to equitable and quality ECCE for all children, especially for
children who are disadvantaged.

2 EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION