UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, promotes the idea that ‘learning begins at birth’. The organisation believes young children have the right not only to survive but also to thrive and develop to their fullest potential. ECCE, Early Childhood Care and Education aims to help children develop understanding of literacy, numeracy, creativity, emotions, and other age-appropriate skills at an early age between 0 to 8 years.
In this blog, we will discuss “What is ECCE?” and its significance in detail.
So, without delay Let’s dive deep into the post.
ECCE is an abbreviation for early childhood care and education (ECCE). It is a fundamental and integral part of the education system. It addresses birth to 8 years as a critical stage for children that lays the foundation of social-emotional learning, education, health, and nutrition.
It is school-based, centre-based, institutionalised, community-based, or home-based, care and learning for young children between 0 to 8 years old. In different countries, ECCE is known through various names such as early childhood care and development (ECCD), early childhood care and education, early childhood development (ECD), early childhood education (ECE), early childhood education, care, and development (ECECD), and early childhood education and development (ECED).
International Standard Classification of Education 2011 (ISCED) classifies ECCE into two parts-
The ECCE (Early Childhood Care and Education) is recognised in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and offers a holistic learning approach to young children. It promotes play-based learning and inclusive learning environments.
Early childhood care and education are critical for several reasons, including:
However, despite its significance, the ECCE still needs to be prioritised. Schools, teachers, parents, educational institutions, and the child welfare community are crucial in providing early childhood care and education.
Private and government institutions for early childhood education are increasing at its pace. However, it does not offer that quality to the children. According to the study conducted by CECED, Ambedkar University, children participating in early childhood care & education need to develop adequate skills for primary school. It’s impacting the children’s primary grades. Education bodies, organisations, government and private schools are taking the initiative for early childhood care and education.
National education policies encompass some recommendations for early childhood care and education. Some of those recommendations involve:
NCERT is responsible for developing the curricula of ECCE. It has created three years of a curricular and pedagogical framework for preschool that aims for the child’s holistic development through play, activity and inquiry-based learning. Due some time, the autonomous education body will also develop the curricula and likenage for grades I & II as per the NEP. The ECCE curriculum focuses on:
The ECCE curriculum includes age-appropriate games, activities, and storytelling to help the children develop numeracy and literacy skills. This NEP initiative is the NIPUN Bharat Mission.
Early childhood care and education emphasise the social and emotional development of children at a younger age by promoting empathy, self-discipline, and positive relations with peers and caregivers.
Physical development and well-being are integral parts of ECCE. The curriculum includes physical activities, motor skill development, outdoor play, and health education.
The ECCE curriculum supports the children’s artistic expressions and skills. It encourages children’s participation in dance, music, drawing, and painting. The ECCE also fosters a sense of environmental responsibility in children, instilling an understanding of nature, sustainability, and perseverance.
ECCE aims for children to gain multilingual proficiency by learning their mother tongue and regional languages, along with Hindi and English.
India’s leading manufacturer and marketer of Intelligent interactive panels, Senses Electronics, empowers schools, teachers, and ECCE trainers to impart high-quality teaching and learning experiences that align with National education policy. It assists teachers in conducting customised sessions for preschool children as early childhood care and education curriculum.
Senses interactive panel with enriched features allows ECCE educators to teach the little children proficiently by involving them in several online and offline activities.
Early childhood is a crucial age for children to foster the foundation for lifelong learning. Care and education quality at this age play a significant role in children’s overall well-being. ECCE enables the child’s development to ensure that children achieve overall physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development. Senses Electronics supports this tailored development of children and aims to empower the education system.
With installations of 50,000 panels in 4000 schools, Senses is a prime contributor to making Indian schools smart, teachers empowered, and students future-ready.
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ECCE is an early childhood care and education programme. It refers to all the courses for holistic development for children aged 0 to 8.
ECCE in NEP (National Education Policy) focuses on providing a solid foundation for children between 0 and 8 years. It helps children develop literacy and numeracy skills, physical development, and well-being from an early age.
The defined period of ECCE is between 0 to 8 years.