Page 1 - Final Lesson-2.pmd

Early Childhood in India

Notes
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EARLY CHILDHOOD IN INDIA

In the previous lesson, you read about the significance of early childhood care
and education. Let us now reflect on some fundamental questions.Who is a child?
When does childhood begin or end? What are specific childhood experiences?
What are the realities of growing up? How do cultures view childhood?
Most Old World civilisations did not consider childhood an important period of
life that needed special attention and identity. Historically, childhood was not an
independent social category until the beginning of the 18th century. Families
were occupied together and children learnt tasks of life by being a part of family
and community. After the Industrial Revolution, when machines replaced men,
there was a division in adult roles. Children’s employment in factories led to the
first collective uprising demanding that children be protected.

With the understanding that childhood is for learning to be independent, new
forms of teaching children took shape. Schooling became an important part of
social fabric. Now, societies are talking about compulsory schooling. Slowly,
changes in people’s lives have raised demand for out-of-family childcare support.
Research about human growth and development have yielded evidence that early
childhood is a crucial phase. In India, the diversity and wide range in social and
economic influences impact some groups adversely and children may be unable
to realize their full potential. Cultural, ethnic and geographical variations also
bring in different contexts.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
After studying this lesson, you will be able to:
• describe the status of young children in India;

• explain factors contributing to diversity in early childhood;
• discuss factors influencing early childhood; and

• evaluate the status of a child in India on various indicators.
12 EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION