Early Childhood
What It Is
Early childhood spans the period from birth to age 5, when kids typically enter kindergarten. In the context of schooling, the focus is often on ages 3–4, the years when children may be enrolled in prekindergarten.Why It Matters
The early years are critical to a child’s development and future educational success. The National Research Council explains, Children come into the world eager to learn. The first five years of life are a time of enormous growth in linguistic, cognitive, social, emotional, and motor competence. Right from birth a healthy child is an active participant in that growth… The pace of learning, however, will depend on whether and to what extent the child’s inclinations to learn encounter and engage supporting environments.
Young children need safe, healthy, nurturing environments in which to grow. They also benefit from surroundings and activities that are rich in language; that lead them to think, question, and solve problems; and that help build their social and motor skills.
Research tells us that children’s readiness is a strong predictor of their future success (or lack of it) in school. Research also tells us that early care and education programs can make a difference, particularly for those children most in need.