Early childhood development (ECD) is an approach to raising and educating children based on the understanding that the most rapid period of learning and brain development occurs during the first five years of life. According to the World Bank, ECD is based on the fact that "young children respond best when caregivers use specific techniques designed to encourage and stimulate progress to the next level of development." The ultimate goal of ECD programs is to make sure children are ready to learn by the time they reach kindergarten--and not just that they have the academic skills but also the emotional and social skills needed to be successful in school.
Brain changes
A key concept in understanding ECD is how brain architecture changes as we age. Harvard University's Center on the Developing Child reports that "During the first few years of life, 700 new synapses (neural connections) are formed every second....Early experiences affect the nature and quality of the brain's developing architecture." Research also shows that building those brain connections depends on a "serve and return" relationship, in which children's efforts to seek stimulation are met with the right responses. The Center also notes that "If the responses are unreliable or inappropriate---the brain's architecture does not form as expected, which can lead to disparities in learning and behavior."
Theories and Speculation
Although there are many theories about ECD and learning, three main ideas have made their way into mainstream education programs, according to the North Central Regional Educational Laboratory. The Maturationist Theory contends that children will acquire the knowledge and skills they need "automatically" as they grow up, and if a child is not ready for a particular grade level, he simply needs more time to develop. The Environmentalist Theory assumes that development is primarily seen in how a child reacts to his surroundings. The Constructionist Theory suggests that children initiate most of their learning experiences and that they are ready for school when they can initiate the activities needed for learning.
Emotional development
In addition to building and fortifying neural connections, ECD is also about the emotional and social development of the child. Research shows that when a child is emotionally healthy and surrounded by a supportive social network, he is in the optimal environment for developing solid learning and thinking skills. Harvard's Center on the Developing Child reports that "Emotional well-being and social competence provide a strong foundation for emerging cognitive abilities, and together they are the bricks and mortar that comprise the foundation of human development."
Time Frame
All kids learn at different rates, but if you are concerned about where your child is relative to most kids his age, consider these general milestones: By the first year, a child should be able to imitate people during play and respond to simple, verbal requests; by age 2, a child should begin make-believe play and point to an object when it is named; by age 3, a child should be able to turn a book's pages one at a time and organize objects by color and shape; and by age 4, a child should be able to draw circles and squares and tell stories.
Expert Insight
One of the pioneers of early childhood development theories was Swiss psychologist Jean Piaget. In his book, "Conversations with Jean Piaget," he is quoted as saying, "Education, for most people, means trying to lead the child to resemble the typical adult of his society...but for me and no one else, education means making creators....You have to make inventors, innovators---not conformists."
