Page 2 - Final Lesson-2.pmd

Early Childhood in India

2.1 EARLY CHILDHOOD

The period from birth to six years is time for rapid development. In this stage,
absence of experience and deprivation can be detrimental for growth. Care and Notes
stimulation are critical during early childhood or the first three years.

Globally, children are under some form of adult surveillance because they need
supervision. Most communities have ways to socialise children for adult roles.
Children are vulnerable, especially when very young. They need to be cared and
protected with opportunities to realize their potential despite the varying contexts
depending on geographical location, social conditions and biological disposition.
Legally, children are those under 18 years of age. It is also important to examine
social geographies of children which really means the environment and ecology
of where they live. Children’s experiences, poverty, dysfunctional families,
working children, child homelessness are social contexts affecting them. If
children are provided healthy meals, love, care and opportunity for exploration
in safe environments, they will thrive and realise their optimal potential. However,
if families are living in difficult circumstances with difficulty in daily living,
with little resources for food, clothing and shelter, children are bound to be
deprived. Family by force may not be fully available to meet the needs of children
leading to children being ignored. These are extreme situations, however, there
are multiple factors that influence children and their situations.

2.2 CHILDREN AND CHILDHOOD

Each culture defines children and childhood differently, which is due to the
evolution of the cultural consciousness of people of those cultures over centuries.
These shape how people within cultures behave with, and relate to
children.Childhood is generally a time of playing, learning, socialising, exploring,
and worrying in a world without much adult interference, aside from parents.

2.2.1 Status and Profile of Young Children in India

Children are the future of the nation. Therefore, it is important that all children
grow into healthy, positive-minded, educated adults who contribute meaningfully
to national development. A nation progresses when its citizens are healthy,
educated, economically independent and contribute to national growth.Currently,
progress of nations is evaluated not merely by economic assets but also by the
status of the young and the old. Infant mortality rate, longevity and the literacy
rate are important determinants of the Human Development Index (HDI).
India is a multi-cultural pluralistic society where people of different religions,
languages, social backgrounds, and economic backgrounds co-exist in diverse
social environments. It is a vast nation with a population of more than 1.21
billion people, the second-most populous country in the world. India is home to
over 440 million children (0-18 years), the largest number in any country in the

EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION 13