Every Child Matters

FOREWORD

India is a signatory to the Jomtien Declaration (1990). Its Article 5, ‘Learning begins at birth’, led to Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) being identified internationally as the first EFA goal.

Research indicates that brain connections multiply exponentially in the first three years of life, and the potential for ensuring optimal development is very high up to eight years. The quality of a child’s environment is crucial for her overall growth and development.

Children who participate in quality early childhood education programme demonstrate considerable gains in social, educational and intellectual spheres, distinctively different from those who do not participate in ECCE programmes. As per the Draft National Early Childhood Care and Education Policy, 2012, ECCE refers to programmes that promote language, cognitive, socio-emotional and creative and aesthetic appreciation and ensure synergy with health and nutrition aspects. Accordingly the design and delivery of such programmes need to be undertaken very carefully, and as such, evaluated periodically.

The document in your hands is aimed at helping all stakeholders involved understand why early childhood education is critical and how to make early learning interesting, joyful and meaningful for children. It is hoped that teachers, teacher trainees, teacher educators, parents and other adult caregivers will find it useful. We also look forward to useful feedback from the readers and users to help us improve this book.

With best wishes for an interesting active interaction with this material.

Parvin Sinclair

Director

New Delhi

National Council of Educational

July 2014

Research and Training