Early Childhood Development

Developmental activities in the early childhood years are crucial in preparing children for basic education, helping them acquire skills and increasing performance and retention in school later on. Even in emergency situations, and with limited resources, planning education in emergencies and reconstruction education interventions should begin with investment in early childhood development activities to ensure that basic rights of children to survival, protection, care and participation are fully protected from birth to school age and onwards. Early education activities help prepare children to enter and succeed in school, ensure caregivers are equipped to support their children’s learning and transition to school, and make sure schools are ready and more inclusive for all children. Play is the medium of learning in early childhood and has a central importance as an educational strategy that can promote the psychosocial and physical well-being of learners. Creating a stimulating and holistic environment to play and learn increases significantly both cognitive and social-emotional competence of children (INEE/CGECCD, 2009).