Page 9 - Final Lesson-2.pmd

Early Childhood in India

Research provides evidence that children who face adversities like poverty and
deprivation early in life are more likely to experience a broad range of impairments
Notes later. These harsh circumstances can lead to social, emotional, behavioral,
interpersonal or school-adjustment problems and even more severe difficulties,
such as mental health problems, delinquency and criminal behavior.

It is not necessary that adverse childhood experiences that influence children’s
development are only one-time dramatic events.These can be daily routine events
where children face chronic daily exposure to maltreatment, poor parenting and
other adversities that damage developmental health of children.
Such situations can be avoided and the effects of early adversity can be moderated
by a wide range of factors, from sensitive parenting, extended family support,
counseling, provision of facilities, community-level social support and supportive
childcare services.
Individuals exposed to adverse childhood experiences tend to be less equipped
to take on a parenting role when they are adults and, in the context of adverse
circumstances and the absence of some form of social support and/or intervention,
they are more likely to adopt inappropriate parenting behaviors and perpetuate a
cycle of negative and adverse parenting across generations.

2.4 FACTORS INFLUENCING EARLY CHILDHOOD
Childhood is the time for children to be in school and at play, to grow strong and
confident with the love and encouragement of their family and an extended
community of caring adults. Childhood means much more than just the space
between birth and the attainment of adulthood.It is a period of rapid physical,
cognitive, emotional, social and language development of children. There are
many social issues that affect children, such as education, bullying, child poverty,
dysfunctional families, child labor, hunger, and child homelessness.

Childhood is usually a mixture of happiness, wonder,anxiety and resilience. It is
generally a time of playing, learning, socialising and exploring in a world without
much adult interference, aside from parents. It is a time of learning about
responsibilities without having to deal with adult responsibilities.

Early childhood years are formative years in the growth and development of
children when the foundation for lifelong development and learning is laid. A
stimulating environment promotes holistic development comprising various
domains namely, cognitive, language, social, emotional and physical competence
which has already been discussed. Any long-term adverse circumstances
negatively impact development.Childhood, family and the State are strongly
interdependent,especially for disadvantaged groups. Poverty limits access, quality
and family dynamics from gathering the best resources for children.

20 EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION