Early Years: Why it matters more than you think
Guest blog: Sam Attwater, an Associate of chk Education and an expert in Early Years Education.
What factual evidence supports the belief in academic circles that early childhood development is crucial? If it is so important, what are we as educators doing to make the most of these formative years for the children in our care?
Understanding Neurology: A Key to Early Development
Understanding basic neurology is crucial. A child’s brain develops rapidly during the early years, forming millions of connections each second through daily experiences. Babies are born with all the brain cells they will ever need. In the first two years, the brain creates these connections at an astonishing rate. In fact, the brain grows faster in the first three years than at any other time in life. These connections provide the foundation for lifelong learning, behaviour, and emotional regulation. Thus, the early years are critical for setting the stage for future development.
Brain and Child Development: A Deep Connection
Brain development and child development are closely connected. For example, child development depends on the growth of brain connections and environmental factors, such as interactions and parenting. A loving touch or exploring how things work strengthens development. A child needs love, play, and interaction to grow healthy and strong. During these early years, the brain absorbs everything, creating a rich, supportive environment for growth. Therefore, we must provide these nurturing experiences at this stage to ensure optimal development.
Finding Magic in Ordinary Moments
I realised early on that early years education was my calling. The first smile, the achievement of riding a bike—these moments are magical. After all, these are the milestones that form the foundation of a child’s sense of pride and joy in learning.
Nurturing the Foundations of Early Years Education
What captivated me was the realisation that early education is more than just content knowledge. It nurtures who these children will become. When a child struggling to learn finally masters a task, their pride goes beyond the skill itself. They learn persistence, resilience, and that they can overcome challenges. In particular, mastering these skills early on builds confidence that lasts a lifetime.
The Joy and Curiosity of Children
Young children’s joy and curiosity are contagious. Where else can you spend your day exploring puddles? As a matter of fact, these moments of exploration are invaluable. Every interaction, every word of encouragement, and every moment of connection matters. As has been noted, we are not simply teaching; we are part of life’s most remarkable discoveries. Not only is this rewarding, but it also highlights the importance of fostering an environment where joy and curiosity drive learning. In essence, this is where true learning happens—not through worksheets or formal lessons, but through play and exploration.
Simple Moments, Big Lessons
A puddle is more than just a puddle—it’s an opportunity for scientific exploration. For instance, these moments of wonder show us that simple experiences often teach the greatest lessons. Consequently, educators should seize these moments to deepen children’s understanding of the world around them.
The Village Approach: A Groundbreaking Early Years Education Model
As educators, we must recognise that development doesn’t always align with chronological age. This brings us to the ‘village’ approach, based on the principle of “stage, not age.” To clarify, this approach focuses on the developmental stage of a child, not their age.
Benefits of the Village Approach
I opened my first integrated ‘village’ years ago and saw its benefits firsthand. Child-centred learning ensures that young children learn not only from their peers but also from older children and adults. With the focus on “stage, not age,” this approach has proven successful for both nursery and reception-aged children. In this situation, it creates a secure environment where children can integrate without needing another transition until Year 1.
The benefits include:
- Younger children gain role models in older peers who demonstrate more advanced skills.
- Older children develop empathy and communication skills by supporting younger ones.
- Children reinforce their understanding by explaining concepts to others.
- Children play alongside peers at their developmental stage.
- Social skills grow through interactions across stages.
- Real-world social structures are reflected as children interact with peers of different ages.
Conclusion: The Power of Early Years Education
In early childhood, learning often occurs in ‘ordinary’ moments. A puddle is not just a puddle; it’s an opportunity for exploration. The magic lies in recognising and nurturing these moments. Thus, when we create environments that support this learning process, we lay the foundation for a lifetime of curiosity, resilience, and joy in learning. To sum up, the early years are not only crucial for a child’s development but also offer us, as educators, a unique opportunity to shape their future.
Remember: Never underestimate the importance of a puddle!
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About Sam Attwater:
Sam is highly experienced in early childhood development and education, having dedicated her career to nurturing young minds and shaping the future of early years education. She began her career in a Special Care Baby Unit, which revealed the profound impact of early intervention and inspired her transition to early years education. Sam is particularly passionate about sharing knowledge and best practices, having regularly coached and mentored early years professionals, and facilitated the UK government’s National Professional Qualifications for Early Years Leaders. Sam Attwater, an Associate of chk Education and an expert in Early Years Education
