Quick revision of Class 12 Home Science, Chapter 6 Early Childhood Care and Education: definitions, objectives, principles, skills, careers and scope in one place. Read the full notes for detail.
1 Key definitions
All definitions in one place
ECCEAn activity that benefits childhood in different circumstances and benefits families by supporting parents and the community in building the next generation
Early childhoodBirth till 8 years; two stages: birth-3 and 3-8 years (based on developmental changes)
InfancyBirth to one year (some experts: two years); largely dependent on adults
ToddlerChild between two and three years; from the jumpy walk
CrècheInstitutional setting for infants and young children in the absence of home care
Day careCare in the preschool years (infants and preschoolers) in the absence of a primary caregiver at home
Preschool educationChild-centred, informal programme that complements a good home environment
2 Significance
- 8-12 months: fear of unknown people = capacity to recognise familiar faces
- Around one year: clings to the mother/caregiver; soon learns she does not “vanish”; sense of security
- Substitute care: another female of the household; now institutional care (informal family care setting or institutionalised centre)
- The crèche substitutes for the primary caregiver; it is not seen as an essential learning experience
- Around three years: activities expand; vocabulary in the mother tongue grows; curiosity, “Why is this so?”
- Forcing formal learning: curiosity diminishes; the child feels anxious and insecure
- Best environment: safe, secure, loving, variety of people and play materials, a caring adult
- Child centred approach + play way method = ideal; “All children learn, naturally”
- Older siblings released from child care can attend school; nutrition and health interventions; support to society
3 Objectives and guiding principles (NCF 2005)
| 3 basic objectives | 10 guiding principles |
|---|---|
| 1. Holistic development of the child to realise the potential 2. Preparation for school 3. Support services for women and children |
1. Play as the basis for learning · 2. Art as the basis of education · 3. Recognition of the special features of children’s thinking · 4. Primacy of experience rather than expertise · 5. Experience of familiarity and challenge in everyday routines · 6. Mix of formal and informal interactions · 7. Blend of textual and cultural sources · 8. Use of local materials, arts and knowledge · 9. Developmentally appropriate practices, flexibility and plurality · 10. Health, well-being and healthy habits |
4 People and programmes
- Maria Montessori: educationist; Montessori schools
- ICDS: pre-school education through anganwadis, urban and rural
- Jean Piaget: young children understand the world differently; need a supportive environment
- Lev Vygotsky: need for a concerned, caring, knowledgeable adult; tasks neither too easy nor too difficult
- Cultural context: work along with, not against, the family
5 Preparing for a career
- Training matters: parents learn individual differences (no competitive comparisons); professionals are responsible to children, families, institution, society
- Preschool teacher: less physical-care supervision; more stimulating experiences, creative expression and exploration
- 8 skills: interest; knowledge of needs and capabilities; interacting; creative activities; enthusiasm (story-telling, exploration, nature, social interaction); answering queries; individual differences; energy for long physical activity
- Qualifications: undergraduate degree (child/human development, child psychology); one year diploma or Open University; Nursery Teacher Training
- Also: openness, awareness of community and culture, administrative skills (records, accounts, reports), arts skills (story-telling, dance, music, voice modulation), flexibility for a short attention span
6 Scope, services and careers
6 services
- Crèches
- Day care centres
- Nursery schools
- NGOs
- ICDS
- Training institutes
6 careers
- Teacher in nursery schools
- Caregiver in day care centres and crèches
- Team member for programmes
- Professional for campaigns/services (Governments or NGOs)
- Entrepreneur: camps, edu-picnics, activity clubs, preschool education centres
- Higher studies: PG diploma/degree, doctoral research
7 Practicals
- Practical 1: playground visit, collect low-cost/no-cost play material (groups of 5); activities on colour, texture, number, shape, type of material, size
- Practical 2: puzzle from a cardboard box or notebook cover (two identical pictures, one cut into four pieces); scrap books
- Practical 3: puppets and masks with 4-6 year olds; language and socio emotional development
- CBSE Practical 6: one age-appropriate toy from indigenous material, or a teaching aid with a socially relevant message
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