Abstract

Abstract

There have been misconceptions about the purpose of early childhood education and early childhood centers and how the program is designed. Many people believe that the early childhood education process is easy because young children do not really learn, but simply spend their time playing at early childhood centers. As a result, many people believe they can teach their child without the assistance of an early childhood center but what caregivers don’t know is that there is more to Early Childhood Education than just playing games. Early Childhood Education helps young children give them a head start on giving the child the skills they need to successful later into their academic career and throughout life. The purpose of this paper is to explain that early childhood education, in conjunction with a strong family or home support system, can accelerate a child’s learning and overall development. Both these areas are critical to helping children reach important physical, cognitive, socioemotional and language milestones that are key to their development. This paper will explain how early childhood centers operate to ensure that all children reach their appropriate developmental milestones, while providing broader support to families as well. Finally, this paper will provide a brief explanation of the difference between an early childhood center and a daycare center in order for people to be informed of the differences between how both centers operate and eliminate misconceptions that they are the same.

Keywords: Early Childhood, Physical, Socio-Emotional, Cognitive, Language, milestones, family, early childhood center, home support, development

Year Manuscript Completed

Summer 2019

Senior Project Advisor

Dr. Stephanie Hendrith

Degree Awarded

Bachelor of Integrated Studies Degree

Field of Study

Educational Studies

Document Type

Thesis

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