Page 5 - Final Lesson-1.pmd

Early Childhood Care and Education : Meaning and Significance

Early stimulation refers to providing appropriate stimulating inputs through
seeing, hearing, touching, smelling and tasting to children especially during their
first three years of life. The goal of the stimulation is to promote children’s Notes
potential by enhancing positive interactions with parents or caregivers, and
opportunities for exploring the environment. Research supports that stimulation
helps in brain development by creating neural pathways which further support
learning in later years. Hence, it is important that during their early years,
children are provided with a stimulating environment which is rich in a variety
of age-appropriate materials, experiences and opportunities for development.

1.3.4 Early Learning

Providing opportunities of early learning is yet another important component of
ECCE. Children in the age group of three to six years must be provided age- and
developmentally appropriate learning experiences. It is impreative to ensure access
to quality education comprising of play, concrete experiences, observation,
manipulation and experimentation. This helps them learn about themselves, others
and the world around them.

Fig 1.2 The Process of Development

Physical - Motor Development
Physical growth and development include increase in height, weight and changes
in the proportions of the body structure. It includes the development of bones.
The entire structure of the body depends on the bones, i.e. on their size,
proportion and density. They give an overall configuration and look to the
body. Physical and motor development also involves the process of development
of gross and fine muscles and eye-hand coordination. Development of gross
muscles helps children in activities like, crawling, walking, running, cycling,
climbing, jumping etc. Fine muscular development helps them in activities
such as holding a crayon, scribbling, drawing, colouring, threading, cutting
and writing.
EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION 5