Early childhood is the most rapid period of development in a human life. Although individual children develop at their own pace, we all progress through an identifiable process of physical, cognitive, emotional growth and change.
The Early Child Development (ECD) approach applied by The Unlimited Child is based on the proven fact that young children respond best when caregivers use specific techniques designed to encourage and stimulate progress to the next level of development.
The ultimate goal of ECD programmes such as The Unlimited Child is to stimulate young children’s capacity to develop and learn. A child who is ready for school has a combination of positive characteristics. He or she is:
- socially and emotionally healthy, confident and friendly
- has good peer relationships
- tackles challenging tasks and persists with them
- has good language skills and communicates well
- listens to instructions and is attentive
The positive effects that ECD programmes have can change the development trajectory of children by the time they enter school. A child who is ready for school has less chances of repeating a grade, being placed in special education or being a school drop-out.
Resources:
USA – Head Start – Prevents Crime
Graham Allens review of Early Intervention
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