Early Childhood 

As parents we all want our children to have the best opportunities available to them. Even early in their lives we prepare them so that they will become an asset to the community. Early childhood development plays a very crucial role in a child's future. A lot of lessons in the early childhood stage are essential in order to fully take advantage of their capabilities because of how the brain develops during the first few years of their lives.

Early childhood activities

During the first twelve months of his life, your baby's brain will double in size because of the number of connections developing in his brain. Playing takes an important part in early childhood development as it is during this activity that motor skills and mental skills are developed. However simple, early childhood activities such as learning how to crawl, coloring or playing catch, stimulates the brain and stores this information for future use. It is during these months that the five senses are fine tuned.

From the time he is born, your child goes through an early childhood stage of a predictable sequence of development that aids his growth. As he grows older, he will begin to get more active. He will start to recognize voices, sounds, colors and the people around him. He will begin to get curious about his surroundings and will want to explore. As parents we can help him by giving him the appropriate things to stimulate his growth process. Rattles will help him with his grasping skills. A walker will help him with walking. Colorful posters will help him recognize shapes and colors. Later on, coloring books, story books, educational cartoons and lots of love and attention will fuel his mental, physical and emotional growth. 

It is also during this stage that early childhood behavior is shaped. Too much of something can spoil him.  The lack of a parent's presence for too long can make him feel unwanted and grow insecure.  Fighting with your partner in front of a child can instill violence in his mind.

Early childhood education

Early childhood education does not begin in school. Even before your child steps foot in any preschool activities, early childhood education already begins at home from the parents. That is why it is essential that parents must train and set a good example for their child at the earliest time possible. The parents are the early childhood teachers first and foremost.

Typically, formal education starts at around 4 years old. Some kids who go to day care start even younger. Going to "school" will help kids with their social skills and interaction. Most early childhood curriculum center around play, games and songs. During these activities, early childhood behavior towards other children and adults is strengthened. A simple song will enrich his memory skills. Games will teach him how to act around other children. Other simple concepts such as reacting to authority figures, like teachers, are learned during early childhood development.

If you notice, lots of nursery schools and day care centers limit the number of children they take on a daily basis. This is because children need lots of attention. They are curious beings and this curiosity needs to be satisfied. Early childhood lesson plans usually contain activities like reading, dance and games, simple math, science and language exercises. As your child gets older, the degree of difficulty increases accordingly in order to keep on stimulating brain development.

Early childhood teachers are one of the most unappreciated professionals in the business. These people take on the big responsibility of educating and helping in early childhood development. Early childhood teachers need lots of patience, creativity and love for kids. Every day they deal with kids who have tantrums, kids who misbehave and the parents.

Role of parents

Parents play an important role in fostering early childhood development. As primary care givers, it is our responsibility to make sure that our kids do not only grow up physically but in other areas as well. The five developmental domains of children are: social, emotional, physical, intellectual and creative. Each of these domains help contribute to a more rounded individual.

Kids develop at different levels. However, there are certain standards that hallmark early childhood development. Children need to be observed in order to ascertain that they are developing accordingly. The speed and ease of childhood development depends upon the stimulation they receive as they grow up. Appropriate materials, play and games will help and encourage these developments.

Studies show that children who are shown love, affection, guidance and kindness learn and develop the five domains at a faster rate compared to children who are neglected and abused. If a child is left without proper nutrition, nurturing, emotional, mental and physical stimulus; he could end up with a developmental deficiency.

Parenthood - A learning process

Parenthood is a learning process. Unfortunately, kids do not come with an instruction manual at birth. However, help is available everywhere. Advice from one's own parents, siblings and friends can be helpful. Additional help can be had via books, magazines or through the aid of professionals specializing in early childhood development. The Internet is also a treasure trove of information regarding children and parenthood.