What is Early Childhood Development (ECD)?
The latest research suggests that the earliest years of life lay the foundation for all that follows and are the most important in developing children’s capacity to learn. Good health, a safe and nurturing environment, and the right kind of mental stimulation give a child a strong framework for growth and help ensure later success at school, at work, and in society.

According to a UNICEF definition, the acronym ECD refers to a comprehensive approach to policies and programs for children from birth to eight years of age, their parents and caregivers. Its purpose is to protect the child’s rights to develop his or her full cognitive, emotional, social and physical potential. Community-based services that meet the needs of infants and young children are vital to ECD and they should include attention to health, nutrition, education and water and environmental sanitation in homes and communities. The approach promotes and protects the rights of the young child to survival, growth and development.

What is Cognitive Development?
Cognitive development refers to "how a person perceives, thinks, and gains an understanding of his or her world through the interaction and influence of genetic and learned factors" (Plotnik, 1999) Research areas on cognitive development include: information processing, intelligence, language development, memory, (to name a few).

Within the history of developmental psychology, Jean Piaget's work has made the greatest impact on the study of cognitive development. A significant feature of Piaget's theory is the focus on processes of cognitive development. According to Piaget, the child is born with an innate curiosity to interact with and understand his world. It is through interaction with others (particularly with one's peers), that the child actively constructs his development

Early Childhood Development (ECD) is also referred to as: Early Childhood Care and (Initial) Education (UNESCO); Early Childhood Education and Care (OECD); and Early Childhood Development (World Bank).

Early childhood development draws on research and knowledge from the fields of:

• Health and nutrition,
• Education,
• Community development,
• Psychology,
• Sociology,
• Anthropology, and
• Economics.

ECD - The Givens
• ECD covers the age group of 0-8 years

• Medical research has demonstrated that the most rapid period of brain development occurs in the first few years of life and that the experiences of early childhood have an enduring effect on an individual’s future learning capacity.

• ECD includes all supports necessary for every child to realize his or her right to survival, protection and to care that will ensure optimal development.

• Early childhood refers to the developmental period from conception to age eight. During this stage, children learn through manipulating objects, and exploring and experimenting in the world around them. This “learning by doing” interval can be facilitated and enhanced through specific forms of stimulation, safe and secure surroundings, and continuity of experiences.

• ECD relies on an “enabling environment”, people and places that provide warmth, affection, security, and encouragement.

• Ensuring the rights of the child must begin at the first moment of life. Choices made, and actions taken affect not only how a child develops, but also how a region and a nation progresses.

Brain Development:
What the research says

Brain development that takes place prenatally and in the first year of life is more rapid and extensive than previously suspected;
• Brain development is much more vulnerable to environmental influence than we ever suspected;

• The influence of early environment on brain development is long lasting;

• The environment affects not only the number of brain cells and number of connections among them, but also the way these connections are "wired;"

• Early stress has a negative impact on brain development.

What are the benefits of Early Childhood Development?
Early childhood development programs generate a wide range of benefits for society, communities and individuals. Scientific evidence shows attention paid to the early years is critical in the development of intelligence, personality, social behavior, and learning potential. Through children, moral and social values are transmitted and maintained. Focusing on ECD also ensures greater social equity by providing all children with a fair start, and reducing gender, economic and social disparities. Benefits of ECD interventions can be found in the following areas:

• Higher intelligence scores
• Higher and timelier school enrollment
• Less grade repetition and lower dropout rates
• Higher school completion rates
• Improved nutrition and health status
• Improved social and emotional behavior
• Improved parent-child relationship
• Increased earning potential and economic self-sufficiency as an adult
• Increased female labor force participation

Who are the Caregivers in ECD
Mothers are universally known as the primary caregivers of their children. The changes in the attitude and social systems have also brought male members of the family to assume a vital role in rearing up a child. In addition, immediate family members are also a major source of support in this task. In general, during early childhood children also develop close emotional relationships with their mothers, (or another relative) who are always in close proximity and are extremely responsive to their needs. This encourages the children to develop their self-confidence, learn positive social values and identify undesirable ones, and develop early language skills.

References:

• We the Children; End-decade review of follow up to the World Summit for Children, Report of the Secretary-General (advance unedited copy)
• Develop a Child, Asian Development Bank, 2001
• State of the World’s Children, UNICEF, 2001
http://www.worldbank.org/children/benefits.html

Compiled by Ambreena Ahmed