Early Childhood Education

Early childhood education is defined as “the education of a child for the period from birth to nine years of age.” It focuses on the child’s physical and emotional development and his or her intelligence besides social education. The term early childhood education is usually used when referring to someone providing this kind of instruction other than the child’s parent or primary caregiver. This could be the child’s day care provider, preschool teacher, nanny, elementary school teacher, or some other such person with whom there is regular interaction.

Such education was initially promulgated to help children from financially-weak families. It was thought early interference would help their later growth and development.  Many studies conducted on the subject indicate that early childhood education is beneficial to children’s cognitive and social development. It helps establish strong foundations for learning at an early age.

The Early Childhood Education Act was formulated by the US Congress describing federal programs and funding for childhood education from pre-school through kindergarten. Some of these programs are child-centered while others are focused on family and still others target both. Many people are not aware of these benefits available to them and as a result lose out on something invaluable. Early childhood care providers and educators are also given special training to ensure that they perform their duties to the best. There is often a dearth of qualified teachers in this segment owing to the low compensation standards in this segment, particularly the government sponsored ones.

Various related laws passed over the years come under the purview of this Act.  The best known public early childhood education program in the US is known as Head Start. Changes in the social situation and the public school system have also led to the introduction of more private programs for those who will benefit from them the most.