Early Childhood Development— Basic Concepts

[Pages:80]MODULE 2 RESOURCE GUIDE

Early Childhood Development-- Basic Concepts

TRAINING FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD CAREGIVERS AND TEACHERS

MODULE 2 RESOURCE GUIDE

Early Childhood Development-- Basic Concepts

TRAINING FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD CAREGIVERS AND TEACHERS

EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT--BASIC CONCEPTS i

This guide is part of a series of manuals that focuses on six topics in Early Childhood Development (ECD): different programming approaches, basic concepts, assessments, early childhood environments, children with special needs and child protection, and the health, safety and nutrition of young children. The series was prepared within a three-year CRS-led project called "Strengthening the Capacity of Women Religious in Early Childhood Development," or "SCORE ECD." Funded by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, the project helps Catholic sisters in Kenya, Malawi, and Zambia in their work with children aged 0-5 years and their families. The project is being implemented from January 2014 to December 2016.

CRS referred to a wide range of documents in preparing this curriculum. Please see "Reference Documents" section in Module 1 facilitator or resource guide for the full list.

Written by Selamawit Tadesse, in cooperation with CRS SCORE ECD team.

Edited by David Snyder

Cover photo: Lawrence Gervais, 40, and Elizabeth Simon, 38, have created a home space for their children where they can apply the early childhood development skills they've learned from a CRS project funded by the Hilton Foundation in Geita, Tanzania. Lawrence was selected by CRS and the local diocese as a "role model" male, to be an example for other men and women in the village. Philip Laubner/CRS

Copyright ? 2016 Catholic Relief Services

Any reproduction, translation, derivation, distribution or other use of this work is prohibited without the express permission of Catholic Relief Services ("CRS"). Please obtain permission from pqpublications@crs. org or write to:

Catholic Relief Services 228 West Lexington Street Baltimore, MD 21201-3443 USA

Table of Contents

RESOURCE GUIDE 2: INTRODUCTION TO EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT ...........V Purpose.................................................................................................................................................... v

SESSION 1: INTRODUCTION TO EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT ............................... 1 Learning objectives..............................................................................................................................1 Early childhood development and its benefits.........................................................................1 The benefits of investing in early childhood development ...............................................2 Factors influencing child development......................................................................................4 Domains of child development and the concept of the "Whole Child"........................7 Setting goals for supporting all areas of children's development ..................................7

SESSION 2: DEVELOPMENT AND INTERVENTION OF INFANTS AND TODDLERS.........21 Learning objectives........................................................................................................................... 21 The beginning of child development......................................................................................... 21 Safe delivery and the newborn child........................................................................................ 24 Attachment and its importance in the early stage of child development ............... 26 Quality caregiving and developmental milestones of infants and toddlers.............30 Milestones and fostering the development of infants and toddlers ........................... 32 Guidance and discipline: Responding to challenging behaviors of toddlers............ 41

SESSION 3: DEVELOPMENT AND INTERVENTION OF PRESCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN ........................................................................................................................................45

Learning objectives.......................................................................................................................... 45 Special characteristics of preschool-aged children........................................................... 45 The role of a preschool teacher ................................................................................................46 Developmental milestones and fostering preschoolers' development......................48 Guidance and discipline: Supporting positive behavior of preschoolers.................. 54 REFERENCES.................................................................................................................................... 67

EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT--BASIC CONCEPTS iii

RESOURCE GUIDE 2: INTRODUCTION TO EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT Resource Guide 2 is one of six ECD Resource Guides from the CRS SCORE ECD curriculum. The six series are: 1. Approaches to Early Childhood Programs 2. Introduction to Early Childhood Development 3. Assessing Young Children's Development 4. Quality Early Childhood Environments for Young Children 5. Children with Special Needs and Child Protection 6. Health, Safety, and Nutrition

SAMPLE REVIEW "This curriculum is very comprehensive and inclusive. Furthermore, it is very simple to understand; one can even just read it and use it. As long as you know English, you do not need a tutor to take you through it. You can just go though it on your own!" (Reviewer: CRS SCORE ECD Coordinator/Association of Sisters Kenya (AOSK), April, 2015) "The age group 0-2, which is a gap in the Zambia government ECD policy, is well covered in this curriculum. We have been equipped with knowledge and skills on how to deal with this unique age group, which is very critical in human development. Infants, toddlers, persons with disabilities and children with HIV need appropriate interventions to fully grow and develop. How this is done is covered in this curriculum." (Reviewer: Member of the CRS SCORE ECD Project Curriculum Review Team, Kenya, April, 2015) "The counseling card and the child behavior modification techniques are missing in the Zambia government curriculum; and we found the caregiver counseling card and the guidelines for disciplining young children very helpful techniques. We learned that discipline means teaching and not punishing children and the behavior modification tips are helpful." (Reviewer: Master Trainer/sister, CRS SCORE ECD Zambia, July, 2015)

iv MODULE 2 RESOURCE GUIDE

Resource Guide 2: Introduction to Early Childhood Development

PURPOSE

The purpose of this guide is to provide information on basic concepts of Early Childhood Development (ECD), including its components, importance, the age range classification of ECD, and the expected pattern of children's developmental skills in all areas of development--physical-motor, social-emotional, spiritual-moral, and cognitive-language development. Further topics include the importance of attachment in child development, ability differences among infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, and the need for caregivers to differentiate their support according to children's individual interests and developmental levels, including shaping the behavior of children through positive care and guidance in partnership with families. This guide is divided into three sessions: 1. Session one describes the early childhood period, childhood development, and

how investment in early childhood benefits children and society. Further topics include factors influencing child development, how development takes place, domains of child development, and ways in which caregivers and teachers can work with families and set appropriate developmental and learning goals for children, including children with special needs. 2. Session two describes the importance of maternal and newborn care and explains how a caregiver/ child early attachment relationship lays a foundation for child development. The developmental milestones specific to infants and toddlers in areas of physical-motor, social-emotional, spiritual-moral, and cognitive-language development are also discussed. Further topics include how caregivers and teachers can foster learning and prosocial behaviors for this age group of children. 3. Session three describes the special characteristics of preschool-aged children, including their milestones in physical-motor, social-emotional, spiritual-moral, and cognitive-language development. In addition, ideas on how to foster learning and prosocial behaviors for this age group are provided.

EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT--BASIC CONCEPTS v

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