Early childhood education regards education in the early stages
of childhood. According to NAEYC (National Association for the
Education of Young Children), it spans the human life from birth
to age 8. Infants and toddlers experience life more holistically
than any other age group. Social, emotional, cognitive,
linguistic, and physical lessons are not learned separately by
very young children. Adults who are most helpful to young
children interact in ways that understand that the child is
learning from the whole experience, not just that part of the
experience to which the adult gives attention. Early childhood
education often focuses on children learning through play.
Although early childhood education does not have to occur in
absence of the parent or primary caregiver, this term is often
used to describe preschool or child care programs. Researchers
in the field and early childhood educators both view the parents
as an integral part of the early childhood education process.
Early childhood education takes