Early childhood is a stage of human development that generally includes toddlerhood and the years afterwards. It is defined as the period from birth until approximately 9-12 years old, covering infancy, preschool, and the early elementary school years. Experiences in early childhood have a profound impact on brain development and skills like learning, communication, and collaboration that are important for future success. However, inadequate nutrition, lack of early learning opportunities, and exposure to stress can negatively impact development. Understanding the importance of investing in early childhood is key to maximizing children's future well-being.

1. Understanding the Early
childhood

2. SAMINA D/O HAFIZ BASHIR
AHMED
ROLL NO: 2K18/BEDS/69
EARLY CHILDHOOD
ASSIGNED BY:
DR. AMJAD ALI ARAIN

3. Early childhood
Early childhood is a stage in human development. It
generally includes toddlerhood and some time afterwards.
Play age is an unspecific designation approximately
within the scope of early childhood. Some age-related
development periods and examples of defined intervals
are: newborn (ages 0–5 weeks); infant (ages 5 weeks – 1
year); toddler (ages 1–3 years); preschooler (ages 3–5
years); school-aged child (ages 6–11); adolescent (ages
12–17).

4.  In psychology the term early childhood is usually
defined as the time period birth until the age of nine to
twelve years, therefore covering infancy, kindergarten
and the early school years up to grades 3,4,5 or 6.
There are three simultaneous development stages
 Early childhood experiences have a profound impact
on brain development—affecting learning, health,
behavior and ultimately, income. An increasingly
digital economy places even greater premiums on the
ability to reason, continually learn, effectively
communicate and collaborate. Those who lack these
skills will be left further behind.

5.  Yet today, millions of young children are not
reaching their full potential because inadequate
nutrition, a lack of early stimulation, learning, and
nurturing care, and exposure to stress adversely
affect their development.
 Importance of early childhood development
 The emotional, social and physical development
of young children has a direct effect on their
overall development and on the adult they will
become. That is why understanding the need to
invest in very young children is so important, so
as to maximize their future well-being

6.  Neurological research shows that the early years play a
key role in children’s brain development.
 Babies begin to learn about the world around them from
a very early age – including during the prenatal,
perinatal (immediately before and after birth) and
postnatal period.
 Children’s early experiences – the bonds they form with
their parents and their first learning experiences –
deeply affect their future physical, cognitive, emotional
and social development.
 Optimizing the early years of children’s lives is the best
investment we can make as a society in ensuring their
future success.