Early Childhood Development— Basic Concepts

1 MODULE 2 RESOURCE GUIDE. Early Childhood development . Basic Concepts TRAINING FOR Early Childhood CAREGIVERS AND TEACHERS. MODULE 2 RESOURCE GUIDE. Early Childhood development . Basic Concepts TRAINING FOR Early Childhood CAREGIVERS AND TEACHERS. Early Childhood development Basic Concepts i This guide is part of a series of manuals that focuses on six topics in Early Childhood development (ECD): different programming approaches, Basic Concepts , assessments, Early Childhood environments, children with special needs and child protection, and the health, safety and nutrition of young children. The series was prepared within a three-year CRS-led project called Strengthening the Capacity of Women Religious in Early Childhood development , or SCORE ECD. Funded by the Conrad N.

2 Hilton Foundation, the project helps Catholic sisters in Kenya, Malawi, and Zambia in their work with children aged 0-5 years and their families . The project is being implemented from January 2014 to December 2016. CRS referred to a wide range of documents in preparing this curriculum. Please see Reference Documents . section in Module 1 facilitator or resource guide for the full list. Written by Selamawit Tadesse, in cooperation with CRS SCORE ECD team. Edited by David Snyder Cover photo: Lawrence Gervais, 40, and Elizabeth Simon, 38, have created a home space for their children where they can apply the Early Childhood development skills they've learned from a CRS project funded by the Hilton Foundation in Geita, Tanzania. Lawrence was selected by CRS and the local diocese as a role model male, to be an example for other men and women in the village.

3 Philip Laubner/CRS. Copyright 2016 Catholic Relief Services Any reproduction, translation, derivation, distribution or other use of this work is prohibited without the express permission of Catholic Relief Services ( CRS ). Please obtain permission from org or write to: Catholic Relief Services 228 West Lexington Street Baltimore, MD 21201-3443 USA. Table of Contents RESOURCE GUIDE 2: INTRODUCTION TO Early Childhood development ..V. SESSION 1: INTRODUCTION TO Early Childhood development .. 1. Learning Early Childhood development and its The benefits of investing in Early Childhood development ..2. Factors influencing child Domains of child development and the concept of the Whole Child ..7. Setting goals for supporting all areas of children's development ..7. SESSION 2: development AND INTERVENTION OF INFANTS AND Learning 21.

4 The beginning of child 21. Safe delivery and the newborn 24. Attachment and its importance in the Early stage of child development .. 26. Quality caregiving and developmental milestones of infants and Milestones and fostering the development of infants and toddlers .. 32. Guidance and discipline: Responding to challenging behaviors of 41. SESSION 3: development AND INTERVENTION OF PRESCHOOL-AGED. CHILDREN ..45. Learning 45. Special characteristics of preschool-aged 45. The role of a preschool teacher ..46. Developmental milestones and fostering preschoolers' Guidance and discipline: Supporting positive behavior of 54. Early Childhood development Basic Concepts iii RESOURCE GUIDE 2: INTRODUCTION TO Early Childhood development . Resource Guide 2 is one of six ECD Resource Guides from the CRS SCORE ECD curriculum.

5 The six series are: 1. Approaches to Early Childhood Programs 2. Introduction to Early Childhood development 3. Assessing Young Children's development 4. Quality Early Childhood Environments for Young Children 5. Children with Special Needs and Child Protection 6. Health, Safety, and Nutrition SAMPLE REVIEW. This curriculum is very comprehensive and inclusive. Furthermore, it is very simple to understand; one can even just read it and use it. As long as you know English, you do not need a tutor to take you through it. You can just go though it on your own! (Reviewer: CRS SCORE ECD Coordinator/Association of Sisters Kenya (AOSK), April, 2015). The age group 0-2, which is a gap in the Zambia government ECD policy, is well covered in this curriculum. We have been equipped with knowledge and skills on how to deal with this unique age group, which is very critical in human development .

6 Infants, toddlers, persons with disabilities and children with HIV need appropriate interventions to fully grow and develop. How this is done is covered in this curriculum. (Reviewer: Member of the CRS SCORE ECD Project Curriculum Review Team, Kenya, April, 2015). The counseling card and the child behavior modification techniques are missing in the Zambia government curriculum; and we found the caregiver counseling card and the guidelines for disciplining young children very helpful techniques. We learned that discipline means teaching and not punishing children and the behavior modification tips are helpful. (Reviewer: Master Trainer/sister, CRS SCORE ECD. Zambia, July, 2015). iv MODULE 2 RESOURCE GUIDE. Resource Guide 2: Introduction to Early Childhood development PURPOSE.

7 The purpose of this guide is to provide information on Basic Concepts of Early Childhood development (ECD), including its components, importance, the age range classification of ECD, and the expected pattern of children's developmental skills in all areas of development --physical-motor, social-emotional, spiritual-moral, and cognitive-language development . Further topics include the importance of attachment in child development , ability differences among infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, and the need for caregivers to differentiate their support according to children's individual interests and developmental levels, including shaping the behavior of children through positive care and guidance in partnership with families . This guide is divided into three sessions: 1.

8 Session one describes the Early Childhood period, Childhood development , and how investment in Early Childhood benefits children and society. Further topics include factors influencing child development , how development takes place, domains of child development , and ways in which caregivers and teachers can work with families and set appropriate developmental and learning goals for children, including children with special needs. 2. Session two describes the importance of maternal and newborn care and explains how a caregiver/ child Early attachment relationship lays a foundation for child development . The developmental milestones specific to infants and toddlers in areas of physical-motor, social-emotional, spiritual-moral, and cognitive-language development are also discussed.

9 Further topics include how caregivers and teachers can foster learning and prosocial behaviors for this age group of children. 3. Session three describes the special characteristics of preschool-aged children, including their milestones in physical-motor, social-emotional, spiritual-moral, and cognitive-language development . In addition, ideas on how to foster learning and prosocial behaviors for this age group are provided. Early Childhood development Basic Concepts v Session 1: Introduction to Early Childhood development LEARNING OBJECTIVES. By the end of this session, participants will be able to: Describe the meaning and benefits of Early Childhood development . Discuss factors influencing child development . Describe the main domains of child development . Set appropriate learning and development goals to meet the needs of children in each domain of development , including fostering development for children with disabilities.

10 Identify strategies caregivers can use to help families support their children's needs. Early Childhood development AND ITS BENEFITS. DEFINITION OF Early Childhood . Generally, Early Childhood is defined as a time that spans the prenatal period to eight years of age and it is the most intensive period of brain development throughout the lifespan (WHO & UNICEF, 2012). This period is the most critical time for the growth and development of the child and needs the utmost attention and appropriate care. This guide describes only the Early Childhood development of children from birth to five years of age. Early Childhood development is defined with many different terminologies by different programs or institutions. Here is how the ECD policy documents of the governments of Malawi, Kenya, and Zambia define Early Childhood .