Early childhood, defined as the time through age 8, is a critical period for the brain. As more than 1 million neural connections form every second during the first few years of life, early childhood education (ECE) plays an important role in early childhood development.

If a career in this field is appealing, keep reading to learn more about ECE and early childhood education programs.

The role of early childhood education in child development

Through a high-quality early learning program, students develop foundational academic and interpersonal skills they often carry into kindergarten, such as reading, math, self-control and building positive relationships.

Early childhood students may be less likely to be placed in special education programs, have a decreased rate of grade retention and be more likely to graduate high school.

Children who are healthy, safe and afforded opportunities to learn well at a young age are better positioned to reach their full potential as adults. Specifically, young children exposed to conditions that support healthy development are better equipped to become effective participants in economic, social and civic life as they grow.

Key focus areas of early childhood education and care

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) says curriculum frameworks for an effective early childhood program should support children's overall development. Frameworks can encompass a wide range of content, "striking a balance between learning areas that are rooted in subjects, attitudes and values, and skills (cognitive and meta-cognitive, physical and practical, socio-emotional)."

OECD highlights common areas within early childhood education curriculum frameworks that support development, including:

  • Respect for others
  • Literacy/oral language
  • Cooperation
  • Artistic expression and appreciation
  • Physical well-being

Kelly Burlison, associate professor in the College of Education at Lynn University, provides additional insights into ECE student teaching at the university. "We teach our students to focus on the individual needs and interests of our early learners," Burlison says.

Some of the key focus areas that can help build a solid foundation for high-quality learning and child development include:

Nurturing environments

Nurturing care is comprised of five core components:

  • Good health
  • Adequate nutrition
  • Responsive caregiving
  • Security and safety
  • Opportunities for early learning

In early childhood settings, good health practices, hygiene and nutrition help create a nurturing environment for young learners to thrive.

Socio-emotional learning

The Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL) framework encourages schools to develop programming that fosters knowledge, skills and attitudes across the following social and emotional competencies:

  • Self-awareness
  • Self-management
  • Social awareness
  • Relationship skills
  • Responsible decision-making

Research shows that play-based early learning has a positive impact on the social and emotional development of children, encouraging them to make connections between knowledge and experience. Play-based techniques—such as incorporating games, encouraging physical play (i.e., running, jumping, climbing) and presenting opportunities for roleplaying and storytelling—are common approaches that can help children develop important skills.

Art, music and movement

The OECD states that artistic expression and appreciation are common areas in curriculum frameworks. They help children build cognitive and metacognitive, physical and practical, and socio-emotional skills.

Lynn's early childhood education program teaches a clustered Art, Music and Movement class that combines these elements in a play-based, collaborative early childhood setting that typically starts with a theme.

"Let's say it's a back-to-school theme," Burlison says. "We would have the teacher read a book like Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus—or something else that's school related. Then, we would go to 'Wheels on the Bus' and have them do a dance or sing a song; that's the music and movement piece. Next up would be the art piece, having [students] make a little school bus out of construction paper in the center."

These clustered lessons combine art and expression with physical activity and dramatic play, providing an artistic, collaborative and active learning opportunity all in one class.

Collaboration with families and communities

The OECD recommends that curricula include goals and principles for family engagement and strategies for communicating with parents and community members. Understanding the importance of establishing and maintaining strong communication skills with parents and families is an important aspect of early childhood educator preparation.

"When you're dealing with young students, parents have questions: 'Did my child sleep today? Did they eat today? Did they play?' They want to know more when they pick their child up from school," Burlison says. Anticipating and answering these kinds of questions can be an effective way to foster family collaboration.

Complete your bachelor's degree in early childhood education entirely online

If you're interested in a career in early education, such as becoming an early childhood educator or childcare worker in an early learning center, you can earn an early childhood education degree at Lynn entirely online.

Lynn University's online bachelor's degree in early childhood education focuses on educator preparation to empower the next generation of young learners through teaching.

If you want to work with older children in elementary school settings, Lynn also offers a bachelor's degree in elementary education. If you're not sure whether an early childhood education or elementary education degree is right for you, our education career guide provides additional details on each program.

Contact us for more information today.