Child development and associated efforts to enhance the quality and speed of a child's skill acquisition through early childhood education revolves around the belief that learning simple skills early in life leads to more effective learning of complex skills later. Understanding how children develop and what techniques assist that process provides employment for psychologists and early childhood specialist teachers as well as being an abiding interest of parents.
History
Although pinpointing the beginning of formal investigation into child development remains difficult, certainly the work of Jean Piaget---Swiss psychologist and educator who authored several books on the development of children's intelligence---and early childhood education advocates like Maria Montessori provide a valid starting point at the beginning of the 20th century. Using techniques and concepts from the seminal work of these early practitioners, the United States became involved in early childhood education by starting kindergarten programs in the early part of the century and in 1965 began the Head Start program that continues today.
Significance
Wanda Smith, writing for the University of Illinois, reports that research indicates good quality early childhood education programs improve children's lives and society. She contends that taxpayers recover the cost of the education programs through reduction in delinquency, arrest rates and welfare dependence. Although a 2010 report on the Head Start program showed few differences between students from Head Start and a control group by the end of first grade, the Public Policy Forum offers results from several research studies showing the benefit to students and society of early childhood education.
Function
The State of Illinois holds similar view to other states and federal government agencies when expecting early childhood education and its impact on child development to include positive social skills, acquisition of knowledge and learning the use of appropriate behaviors to meet personal needs. Many early childhood education programs include parent education. Child development specialists support early childhood development programs by offering assessment of performance and helping structure learning activities to reflect natural child knowledge acquisition processes.
Time Frame
Psychologists usually define child development as the years between birth and adolescence. Early childhood education programs most often target 3- and 4-year-old children, although some programs may work with younger students. Those who believe that early childhood education programs should begin in the womb remain in a small minority.
Considerations
Important considerations in selecting an early childhood education program include the quality and training of teachers and the ratio of adults to children. Look for the presence of child development specialists that have training in curriculum design and individual educational planning especially for young children. Low staff turnover and parent involvement characterize effective education programs.
References
- Notable Biographies: Jean Piaget
- North America Montessori Teachers Association: Maria Montessori
- University of Illinois: The History of Early Childhood Education
- California Head Start Program: Head Start History
- United States Department of Health and Social Services: Head Start Impact Study
- Public Policy Forum: Matrix of Research on Early Childhood Education Outcomes
