EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND
EDUCATION: MEANING AND
SIGNIFICANCE
Early childhood refers to the early years of life starting from birth to six years.
These years are called the formative years as the foundation for physical,
cognitive,
socio-emotional and language development is laid during this period. Researches
in the field of neuroscience have established the importance of these years as
growth and development of the brain takes place at a very fast pace. Early care,
stimulating environment and optimum learning opportunities have a lasting
impact on the lives of young children. This can be done by ensuring quality
Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) for all children during their
formative years. Any kind of deprivation may have an adverse impact on the
development of children. Thus, it becomes imperative to understand the meaning
and significance of ECCE.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
After studying this lesson, you will be able to:
• describe the meaning and significance of ECCE;
• discuss the objectives of ECCE;
• explain the components of ECCE;
• highlight the importance of early intervention; and
• describe ECCE in the Indian and global context.
1.1 MEANING AND SIGNIFICANCE OF ECCE
1.1.1 Meaning of ECCE
The term ECCE comprises of three key terms:- ‘Early Childhood’, ‘Care’, and
EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION
Early Childhood Care and Education : Meaning and Significance
Notes
‘Education’. Early childhood is the period from birth to six years. According to
the National Policy on ECCE, 2013, there are three sub-stages of early years,
each with its own age-specific developmental priorities. These sub-stages are:
(a) conception to birth (b) birth to three years and (c) three to six years. This is
the most important period of life characterized by rapid growth and development.
By ‘Care’ we mean providing love and affection and ensuring a healthy, hygienic,
protective and stimulating environment for all children. ‘Education’ is a process
of acquiring knowledge, skills, attitudes and values through exploration,
experimentation, observation, participation and interaction. All such experiences
help children learn more about themselves and the world around them.
Thus, ECCE refers to providing care including health and nutrition as well as
early learning opportunities to all young children. A protective and stimulating
environment consisting of play-based and developmentally appropriate activities
are vital for children’s physical-motor, cognitive, socio-emotional and language
development.
Hence, ECCE forms the basis for overall development, later learning and
wellbeing
of children.
1.1.2 Significance of ECCE
Compared to the other periods of life, the first six years of children’s life are very
important due to fast growth and development in all domains. Researches in the
field of neuroscience confirm the importance of early years in children’s life.
According to these researches, development of brain takes place at a rapid rate
during these years. By the time a child is six years old, 90% of brain development
has taken place. As a result, this stage is considered crucial for the holistic
development of children especially for the development of the brain. Any
disruption
in the developmental processes due to heredity or environment may affect
adversely. Lack of a healthy home and school environment, paucity of stimulation,
inadequate nutrition and poor health care are some of the common factors that
lead to developmental delays among children. During these years, children acquire
various physical-motor, cognitive, socio-emotional and language competencies.
Hence, they should be provided opportunities to grow in a stimulating and
engaging
environment with positive experiences. Quality early care and education provided
to young children through ECCE programmes enables them to acquire age-
appropriate knowledge and skills which further help them adjust better in a formal
school environment.
Thus, it is necessary to accord prime importance to ECCE for children to develop
in an integrated, holistic and healthy manner. Different ECCE service providers
must ensure access to equitable and quality ECCE for all children, especially for
children who are disadvantaged.
Early Childhood Care and Education : Meaning and Significance
EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION
Notes
1.2 OBJECTIVES OF ECCE
The aim of ECCE is to provide quality care and learning opportunities to all
children during their formative years for their overall development. National ECCE
Curriculum Framework, 2013 has defined the objectives of ECCE. In the light of
this document, let us understand its key objectives.
ECCE aims to:
1) ensure that children feel safe, secure, accepted and respected
2) ensure children have good and balanced nutrition
3) inculcate healthy habits, hygiene practices and self-help skills among children
4) enable sound language development, skills of communication and expression
5) ensure optimum physical and motor development of children as per their
potential
6) foster sensory and cognitive abilities of children by providing engaging,
participative and stimulating activities
7) promote development of pro-social skills and social competence along with
children’s emotional wellbeing
8) prepare children for formal learning in schools.
ACTIVITY 1.1
Discuss with parents in your community to find out how aware they
are about the significance of ECCE.
INTEXT QUESTIONS 1.1
1. State whether the following statements are true or false.
(a) Early years of children’s life are very important due to fast growth and
development in all domains.
(b) ECCE means ensuring care including health and nutrition as well as
early learning opportunities to all young children during their early years.
(c) Home and school environment do not affect children’s development.
(d) Disruption in the developmental process due to heredity or
environmental factors may affect overall development of children.
(e) A protective and stimulating environment is vital for holistic
development of children.
