"Early childhood education (ECE), also known as nursery education, is a branch of education theory that relates to the teaching of children (formally and informally) from birth up to the age of eight."
Focuses on the education of children from birth to age five.
Child Development: The study of physical, cognitive, social, and emotional growth and development of children from birth through adolescence.
Play-based Learning: A teaching method that uses play, which is natural for children, to facilitate learning and development through exploration, experimentation, and problem-solving.
Language and Literacy Development: The process of learning to communicate through spoken and written language, including vocabulary, grammar, reading, and writing.
Assessment and Observation: The systematic collection and analysis of data about children's progress, behaviors, and development to inform instructional decisions and improve outcomes.
Curriculum Planning: The process of designing and implementing a cohesive and developmentally appropriate curriculum that integrates multiple domains of learning and meets the needs of individual children.
Inclusive Education: The practice of providing equitable and meaningful educational opportunities for all children, regardless of their backgrounds or abilities.
Classroom Management: The strategies and techniques used to create and maintain a safe, supportive, and engaging learning environment that promotes positive behavior and academic achievement.
Family Partnerships: The collaborative relationship between educators and families to support children's development, share information, and create a sense of community.
Professional Development: The ongoing learning and development that educators engage in to enhance their skills, knowledge, and expertise in early childhood education.
"ECE emerged as a field of study during the Enlightenment, particularly in European countries with high literacy rates."
"It continued to grow through the nineteenth century as universal primary education became a norm in the Western world."
"In recent years, early childhood education has become a prevalent public policy issue, as funding for preschool and pre-K is debated by municipal, state, and federal lawmakers."
"Governing entities are also debating the central focus of early childhood education with debate on developmental appropriate play versus strong academic preparation curriculum in reading, writing, and math."
"The global priority placed on early childhood education is underscored with targets of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4."
"As of 2023, however, 'only around 4 in 10 children aged 3 and 4 attend early childhood education' around the world."
"Furthermore, levels of participation vary widely by region with, 'around 2 in 3 children in Latin American and the Caribbean attending ECE compared to just under half of children in South Asia and only 1 in 4 in sub-Saharan Africa'."
"For example, in Ontario, Canada, the designations ECE (Early Childhood Educator) and RECE (Registered Early Childhood Educator) may only be used by registered members of the College of Early Childhood Educators."
"The College is made up of accredited child care professionals who are held accountable to the College's standards of practice."
"Research shows that early-childhood education has substantial positive short- and long-term effects on the children who attend such education."
"Research shows that the costs are dwarfed by societal gains of the education programs." Note: Unfortunately, I cannot provide the complete paragraph for each quote as the response has a character limit.