Early childhood development produces long-term results
Erik Erikson defines stages according to the emotional development of the child, according to his theory, early childhood is divided into two stages - 1) will (independence vs. shame and doubt - 2-4 years) 2) purpose (initiative vs. guilt - 4) -5 years).
Whereas, Piaget Life Span defines according to cognitive development in 3 stages of development - pre-operational, concrete operation and formal operation.
Early childhood is a developmental stage from 3 years to 8 years old. These early years are the most important and crucial for a child's overall development. The experiences a child goes through at this stage have a long-term impact on his/her life trajectory. According to the teachers, children are born as whiteboards or "Tabula Rasa" (the concept introduced by Locke) and begin their lives from neutrality.
The mind of a child is so flexible that parents and the closest caregivers can shape it in any way. This is the stage in which basic physical and social development occurs and cognitive development begins. The child learns socialization, logical thinking, the concept of friendship and gradually moves towards excellent cognitive development. He has developed gross motor skills and fine motor experience is progressing.
According to the development theorist, Human Life Span is divided into different stages of development, and each theorist has his own method of classification. Erik Ericson and Jean Piaget were two of the most widely accepted development theorists of the Human Life Span. Erik Erikson defines stages according to the emotional development of the child, according to his theory, early childhood is divided into two stages - 1) will (independence vs. shame and doubt - 2-4 years) 2) purpose (initiative vs. guilt - 4) -5 years). Whereas, Piaget Life Span defines according to cognitive development in 3 stages of development - pre-operational, concrete operation and formal operation. Define preoperative (2-7 years) as early childhood.
If we study in depth any of the above-mentioned theorists or others, there is one thing in common, and they all define early childhood as a crucial stage where the platform for all-round growth and development is prepared in the future. This stage is similar to the foundation of the building, if the foundation is laid correctly, the building resistance can withstand all the wrath, even the design of the building is based on the foundation. In the same way, the environment we provide to the child will have a huge impact on the kind of person he will become in the future.
This is why most child psychologists and parenting counsellors repeatedly suggest parents to provide their children with an exploratory environment where they can learn and discover new things. The main reason behind the expansion of the children’s toy market is the concept that “This is the stage in which the child’s ability to cognition is at its peak.
The child can learn many skills/languages to which he is also exposed; Techniques of playing are used to teach children these skills, to explain these Phenomenon, we can look at our case, we often forget the work we did in the last few days and even find it difficult to remember the graduation syllabus accurately, but we can even recite nursery rhymes, alphabet songs and song numbers also in this movement - this is what we call the technique of gameplay ( learning through songs etc.), Kindergarten teachers have used this at the best possible time, which is the early childhood stages when memory ability was at its peak.
By that time, we learned all things simply by mimicking and repeating our teachers, parents and our immediate environment, and also If a psychological problem or delay in cognitive, developmental and physical growth is identified early in childhood, the chances of mastery are greater than at any other stage of development. But the opposite can also be the case, if the child is exposed to Trauma/abuse At this point, the after effects are more severe and can have a strong negative impact on his overall development.
UNICEF has also identified the need to provide a healthy and safe environment for children. In 2014, UNICEF staff and government colleagues participated in the Investing in Young Children Forum and Panel on Neuroscience and Early Childhood Development (UNICEF). These were excellent opportunities for capacity building and advocacy for increased investment in early childhood care and education.
The India country office hosted the South Asia Early Childhood Development Meeting which brought together 6 countries in South Asia to discuss ECD priorities and programmes. The events provided a major boost to the growing momentum for early childhood development in South Asia (UNICEF). Even the major programs of the state Mid-Day Meal, Right to Education, Mission Indra Dhanush etc. all focus on providing a safe, healthy, nutritious and exploratory environment for children.
Through the mid-day meal, the government aims to provide every child with a good quality meal/nutrition, and through the right to education, efforts are made to ensure that all children have the opportunity to study. Both of these systems can meet the needs of children over the age of 6-7 years. But through the Anganwadis special measures have been taken to meet the needs of young people, education through interesting means and healthy food nourishing for their physical development, in their immediate surroundings.
“Early childhood interventions have been shown to have long-term effects on social adjustment and economic success in the future, and can even be passed on to subsequent generations” (UNICEF), which means that the interventions we do today will set the backdrop for the future until we want it. If we want a developed country in the future, we must first provide our children with a safe, healthy and exploratory environment. If India is to progress as a nation, our government must start focusing more on early childhood development programmes.
The India country office hosted the South Asia Early Childhood Development Meeting which brought together 6 countries in South Asia to discuss ECD priorities and programmes. The events provided a major boost to the growing momentum for early childhood development in South Asia (UNICEF). If we want a developed country in the future, we must first provide our children with a safe, healthy and exploratory environment.
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