What is ECCE in Education?

The full form of ECCE is Early Childhood Care and Education, and it is a program  for children from birth to age 8. During childhood, one should acquire the best care and education to become a successful citizen in the future. A child can easily grasp different concepts taught by elders and is curious enough to explore the world around them.

If a child is well educated, then they can achieve their full potential later. The ECCE teachers are trained to understand the psychology of children and accordingly implement strategies for their development. It refers to center-based, institution-based, or even home-based care and training.

It includes two aspects, namely, caring and education. The ISCED has further categorized ECCE into two categories, namely ECECD and ECED.

The full form of ECECD is early childhood educational development, or child care. It is a program for children between 0 and 2 years old. The organized groups in society provide child care services to babies and toddlers. Such young children should be nurtured, nourished, and protected. So, the service providers mainly focus on child care, providing them with proper food, nutrition, toys, and different playthings.

ECED means early childhood education and development. It is an initial stage of learning in a formal institution or school. It is intended for children aged three to six or eight years. The children are taught different subjects or important concepts of life, usually by the play-way method. The trainers mainly focus on activity-based learning programs to teach children through the methods of exploration and experimental learning. Every child should learn joyfully.

Top Benefits of Early Childhood Learning

• Improvement of social skills

A child is interacting with many other kids and adults too, such as teachers, caretakers, etc., and is developing communicative skills. They learn to share things or information with other children or students and learn the importance of being unified. In this way, they can build social, emotional, and expressive skills. When they learn to express their emotions or feelings effectively, they can independently solve their issues with people.

• Greater chances of success in the future

Such kids do not experience academic problems, as they are prepared to handle them independently in schools or institutions. So, they can learn best in a social environment and secure good marks. After consistent good performance in examinations, they can acquire a job in the best organization and earn a higher income.

• Early childhood trainers can provide the best counselling

The trainers can easily evaluate the strengths, weaknesses, skill gaps, health, and calibre of children and give the best advice to parents. If the parents are willing to bridge the skill gap of the child, then they can easily lead the child towards the path of success. These trainers also provide remedial training to special children to bridge skill gap.

• Providing freedom and relaxation to parents

Parents of the present generation are usually too busy with their schedules and are unable to provide full-time care for their children. They can be breadwinners for the family and, hence, are able to focus on their tasks. A child cannot develop emotionally, socially, or even intellectually if he or she always lives with parents.

• Development of a child

Such centers or institutions focus on the overall development of children, and they learn many activities apart from reading and writing. The trainers do not only focus on literacy skills but also on mortar development, cognitive behavior, social and communication skills, etc. Children who are taught by the best mentors always become confident citizens. The trainers are continuously focusing on child development and not complaining about children’s weaknesses. So, a child can overcome their weaknesses as early as possible, and hence the doorway for success opens.

• Challenges of ECCE

The trainers or organizations should be capable of investing lump sums towards development; otherwise, they cannot provide effective training. They should provide the best tools, equipment, and infrastructure for a child’s development; otherwise, they cannot contribute towards a child’s development. Special children who are dyslexic, autistic, hyperactive, have physical problems, etc. require special tools, which should be provided by the organization.

Apart from tools or infrastructure, the organizations should be able to hire the best teachers. Only a well-trained teacher can mold the personality of an individual.

Developing and underdeveloped nations experience problems as they are unable to provide proper funds for development.

Private schools usually provide formal training to students without providing proper tools or equipment for learning. So, the children are simply taught to memorize concepts or chapters rather than learn through experiential learning.