Module on Early Childhood Care Education and Development

Introduction

• Presenter: Mauro Kimarai Chelvi, Assistant Professor, Avinash Lingam University, Tamil Nadu.
• Focus: Characteristics, needs, and significance of various stages of child development.
• Study scope: Early childhood care covers prenatal period, infancy, and babyhood.

Characteristics of the Lifespan

• Each stage has unique and common features.

Prenatal Period

• Duration: Approximately 9 months; starts at conception, ends at birth.
• Characteristics:
  1. Hereditary Endowment: Foundation for development; influenced by environment.
  2. Development of Hereditary Potentials: Maternal conditions affect fetal development.
  3. Sex Determination: Fixed at conception; not influenced by maternal conditions.
  4. Rapid Growth: Weight increases significantly from zygote to infant.
  5. Hazards: Both physical and psychological factors can affect development.
  6. Influence of Significant Others: Attitudes of those around the fetus impact treatment of the newborn.

Infancy and Babyhood (0-2 years)

• Two subdivisions: Infancy (0-2 weeks) and Babyhood (2 weeks - 2 years).

• Characteristics of Infancy:

  1. Shortest Lifespan Stage: Identifiable completion through physiological and psychological milestones.
  2. Radical Adjustment: Infants must adapt to new environments (temperature, feeding, etc.).
  3. Plateau in Development: Initial weight loss followed by gradual improvement.
  4. Preview of Later Development: Early development indicates future behavior.
  5. Hazards: Physical and psychological challenges are common.

• Characteristics of Babyhood:

  1. Foundation Age: Establishes emotional and social behavior patterns.
  2. Rapid Growth and Change: Not just physical, but psychosocial and intellectual development.
  3. Decreasing Dependency: Increased ability to sit, crawl, stand, and communicate needs.
  4. Increased Individuality: Children seek to express personal interests.
  5. Social Behavior Initiation: Developing attachments and relationships.
  6. Appealing Age: Physical traits contribute to their appeal.
  7. Creativity: Opportunities for original learning.
  8. Hazardous Age: Risks of illness and accidents; psychological hazards may arise.
  9. Sex Role Typing: Initiated from birth, influencing gender behavior.

Early Childhood (2-6 years)

• Characteristics:
  1. Problem Age: Frequent behavioral issues; requires careful attention.
  2. Less Appealing Age: Behavioral challenges can overshadow cuteness.
  3. Toy Age: Peak interest in toys and imaginative play.
  4. Pre-Gang Age: Foundations of social behavior being formed.
  5. Exploratory and Questioning Age: Increased curiosity about the world.
  6. Creative Age: Play promotes creativity.

Developmental Tasks

• Coined by Erik Erikson; tasks arise at specific life stages leading to success or failure.
• Influenced by:
  1. Physical Maturation
  2. Cultural Pressure
  3. Personal Values and Aspirations
• Importance: Guides educators on expected child development and helps prepare children for future tasks.
• Tasks from Birth to Preschool:
  • Learning to walk, talk, take solid food, and control elimination.
  • Understanding social relationships and moral concepts.

Factors Influencing Mastery of Developmental Tasks

• Intelligence, environment, guidance from adults, motivation, and creativity can support development.

Needs of Children

• Children have basic and developmental needs that must be met by caregivers.

Basic Needs:

1. Food and Shelter: Essential for survival; caregivers must provide.
2. Physical Safety: Protect children from harm.
3. Emotional Security: Support needed for psychological development.

Developmental Needs:

1. Social Skills: Important for interaction and understanding social norms.
2. Career Abilities: Skill development in school and community.
3. Internal Skills: Self-confidence and emotional maturity through enriching experiences.

Responding to Children's Needs

• First Year of Life:

  • Milestones: Attachment, communication, cooperation.
  • Strategies: Exclusive breastfeeding, warm responsiveness, understanding baby's signals.

• Ages 1-3:

  • Milestones: Independence, language development, self-awareness.
  • Strategies: Build lasting bonds, impose realistic rules, encourage emotional expression.

• Ages 3-6:

  • Milestones: Verbal skills, imagination, empathy, friendships.
  • Strategies: Opportunities for play, socialization, and emotional management.

Conclusion

• The module covered critical stages of child development, emphasizing the importance of meeting developmental tasks and children's needs.
• Next module will focus on brain development.