Overview

The first five years are critical. 90% of a child’s brain develops before age 5. ECE isn’t just babysitting; it’s the foundation for all future learning.

Core Idea

Play-Based Learning: Children learn best through play. It’s not “just playing”; it’s how they explore the world, learn social skills, and solve problems.

Formal Definition (if applicable)

Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP): Teaching that is grounded in research on how children develop and learn, and what is known about effective early education.

Intuition

You don’t teach a 3-year-old calculus. You teach them to share blocks. If they can’t share blocks, they won’t be able to work on a team at Google later.

Examples

  • Montessori: Child-led learning with specific materials.
  • Reggio Emilia: Project-based, artistic, and community-focused.
  • Head Start: A US program for low-income children.

Common Misconceptions

  • “Earlier is better for academics.” (Pushing reading too early can backfire. Social-emotional skills are more important at this age.)
  • “Preschool is a luxury.” (It has the highest ROI of any educational investment—$7 to $10 for every $1 invested.)
  • Emergent Literacy: The earliest signs of reading and writing (scribbling, holding a book).
  • Attachment Theory: The importance of a secure bond with a caregiver.
  • Executive Function: Self-regulation, working memory, and focus.

Applications

  • Parenting: Understanding your child’s development.
  • Policy: Universal Pre-K.
  • Health: Early intervention for delays.

Criticism / Limitations

Low pay for ECE teachers leads to high turnover and lower quality.

Further Reading

  • Paley, You Can’t Say You Can’t Play
  • Gopnik, The Gardener and the Carpenter