Early childhood is the period of life up to 8 years of age that includes pre-schooling from 3-5 years of age or foundational education from 3-8 year age group. For educational purpose, as suggested by noted psychologist and developmental biologist Jean Piaget as well as neuro-scientists, the age group from 3 to 8 years is the most critical period for sensory, cognitive, social, emotional and physical or motor development of children, Therefore, the best of care and constructed learning experiences are given to children.
Initially, the development stages children were identified Jean Piaget, who directly observed and documented the cognitive and non-cognitive developmental features and abilities of infants, children, and teens.
Often five areas in development are suggested by child psychologists and pedagogues hold that the both perceptual and constructed or designed experiences in early years should help children to their competence in all areas of development as follows.
Sensory development
Physical-motor development
Social-emotional development
Non-verbal cognitive development through free play, material manipulation, arts, crafts
Linguistic and numeracy development through home and school language for listening, speaking, action-singing and reading skills which requires phonological awareness and speech correction
Social-spiritual development through proper etiquette and manners; appropriate behaviour and positive attitude; interest in learning along with love for teachers and care-givers; and life-skills for activities of daily life (ADL) and self-care
According to UNICEF, "Children’s brains are built, moment by moment, as they interact with their environments. In the first few years of life, more than one million neural connections are formed each second – a pace never repeated again. The quality of a child’s early experiences makes a critical difference as their brains develop, providing either strong or weak foundations for learning, health and behaviour throughout life." It is held forth that in the first few years of life, more than one million neural connections are formed each second – a pace never repeated again.
It is obligatory for the care-givers and teachers to be responsive to needs of the children. UNICEF adds, "Early childhood offers a critical window of opportunity to shape the trajectory of a child’s holistic development and build a foundation for their future. For children to achieve their full potential, as is their human right, they need health care and nutrition, protection from harm and a sense of security, opportunities for early learning, and responsive care- giving – like talking, singing and playing – with parents and caregivers who love them. All of this is needed to nourish developing brains and fuel growing bodies."
It has been seen in the urban areas pre-schools are available in private sector. The NGO-sector has been urged by UNICEF thus: "For many millions of the world’s most disadvantaged children – including children living in poverty or affected by conflict and crisis, children on the move, children belonging to communities facing discrimination, and children with disabilities – we are often missing this window of opportunity."
In India, the NEP-2020 has envisaged universal access and enrolment to early childhood education for children in the age group 3-8 years which has been termed as foundational stage of education. This has provided the opportunity to the community based organizations to ready themselves to help children from deprived communities through reach out projects
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