Early Childhood Education - Fun Curriculums And Education Research Tools

Early childhood education is the practice of organizing education for young kids in the earliest years of their life (from birth until age 8). From the moment our children enter the world, they are constantly learning.

The Latest Developments

Research into early childhood education carried out in the last 20 or 30 years has brought us to a new understanding of the educational needs of young children. New guidelines are available to help parents, preschool teachers and elementary school teachers support children at this important stage of their lives. Early childhood education standards have been drawn up to help parents and teachers determine whether or not a child is achieving education and developmental milestones at the normal rate.

Early Childhood Education In The United States

The very first preschool education program in United States to be funded from the public purse was launched back in 1965 by President Johnson. Today, a few states provide funded preschool schemes for all kids, but the majority of states offer low-cost preschool education only to low-income families. In some states, preschool and kindergarten are a fully integrated and compulsory part of early education schooling (states in which compulsory education begins at age 5). In others, parents aren't obliged to start sending kids to school until the kids are 6 or 7 years old.

Early Childhood Education Research And Curriculum

Parents and anyone considering an early childhood education career will find a wealth of information on preschool and elementary curricula, development standards and early childhood education research on the websites of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and the National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (NECTAC).

Curriculum

The early childhood education curriculum covers the learning targets from preschool and kindergarten to around third grade. In the United States, curricula for this stage of education are defined by the education department for each state, and therefore vary depending on the part of the country in which you're living. The standards expected and subjects taught should be available from your state education authority for you to review. Generally speaking, teaching in early childhood is much more creative than it was in the past and is designed to encourage children to become independent and self-confident learners. There are tons of early childhood education articles online where you can find details of the expected child development standards before a child enters the education system, what she will learn during each year and what she is expected to have achieved before she can moved into the next grade.

Resources For Teachers

Students and veteran teachers alike in the early education field can benefit from sharing resources and their knowledge. Early childhood education online forums and sites exist precisely to facilitate communication and resource sharing for educators. There you'll find lots of ideas for lesson plans, games, and other learning activities aimed at improving children's abilities in literacy, math and social skills. Parents who are homeschooling will likewise find these sites extremely useful - a simple internet search for "early childhood education resources" is all that's required.

Research

Education authorities throughout the country are constantly searching for new ways to improve the education of young children and define realistic education milestones for kids in this age bracket. Some research teams in certain states have made more progress than others. The website of the National Childcare Information and Technical Assistance Center (NCCIC) provides an interactive map of the US through which you can access the latest early childhood education research in your region.

The History of Early Childhood Education

History of Early Childhood Education written by V. Celia Lascarides and Blythe F. Hinitz is just one of a number of recommended reads for early childhood educators, students of early childhood education, and of course parents who are interested in the subject. The book traces the history of education for young children in the United States from its humble beginnings to the highly-researched and organized form it takes today. Readers say it provides a clear overall view of the issues involved in education at this age, how these challenges have been dealt with by teachers over the years, and how they have fed into the development of modern education techniques.