Early Education
A Shift in Focus: The Importance of Childhood Development
Early childhood development is important because it lays the foundation for a child's future health, behavior, and learning. The first eight years of a child's life, especially the first three years, are critical periods of brain development. During this time, the brain's architecture is established, and trillions of connections between brain cells are formed.
In the proliferation and pruning process, simpler neural connections form first, followed by more complex circuits. The timing is genetic, but early experiences determine whether the circuits are strong or weak. Source: C.A. Nelson (2000). Credit: Center on the Developing Child
"InBrief: The Science of Early Childhood Development"
Harvard University’s Center on the Developing Child highlights key concepts in early brain development and their implications for lifelong health, learning, and behavior. It explains that brain architecture is shaped over time, beginning before birth and continuing through early childhood.
The document emphasizes the importance of early interventions, especially in situations involving toxic stress, which can harm brain development. It advocates for balanced development strategies that combine emotional, social, cognitive, and language skills to ensure success in school and later in life. (Harvard University’s Center on the Developing Child)
Consider…
How does toxic stress disrupt brain architecture, and what are the neurological mechanisms behind this impact on long-term brain function?
How can neuroscience inform the design of early education programs to optimize brain development and enhance cognitive outcomes?
In what ways can modern neuroimaging technologies track the impact of early educational environments on development?
National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER)
The mission of NIEER is to transform early education ecosystems through the power of research. They collaborate with a wide range of practitioners to provide researched-based analyses of current early childhood policies and practices. The institute is founded on the value that all children deserve an equitable early childhood education as well as one that ensures developmental wellness. Some of their practices include:
A rendering of early education excellence in terms policymakers can use and the public can understand
Monitoring and evaluation of national and state progress toward early educational excellence
Development and analysis of model legislation, standards, regulations, and other policies required to improve quality and increase access to good preschool programs
Compares the costs, outcomes, and economic benefits of alternative policies
By targeting policy-making and media, they work to close the gap between research and action in the field. NIEER starts discussions surrounding early education policy in order to foster a collaboration of change.