Knowra Early childhood education Early childhood education Education and care that support children’s learning and development from birth through the early years of primary school. It combines relationships, play, routines, and planned experiences to foster social, emotional, physical, and cognitive growth.
Play-based learning : An approach in which children learn through self-directed or guided play. Play gives children ways to explore ideas, practice skills, and learn with others.
Early childhood development : The physical, cognitive, social, and emotional changes that occur from birth through childhood. Educational choices depend on how development unfolds across the early years.
Head Start : A United States federal program providing early learning, health, nutrition, and family services to eligible children. It illustrates a comprehensive model that combines education with health and family support.
Heckman equation : An economic argument that early investment in disadvantaged children can yield lasting social and financial returns. It frames early education as an investment whose returns can accumulate over time.
Guided play : Play in which an adult shapes the environment or offers prompts while children retain agency. It connects children’s self-directed exploration with intentional learning goals.
Developmentally appropriate practice : An approach to teaching grounded in child development, individual variation, and social context. It translates knowledge of development into responsive decisions about teaching.
Reggio Emilia approach : An educational philosophy originating in Reggio Emilia, Italy, that emphasizes relationships, projects, and children’s expression. Its project work and documentation offer a distinctive model of child-centered learning.
Perry Preschool Project : A longitudinal study of an intensive preschool program for disadvantaged children in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Its long-term follow-up became influential evidence in debates about preschool outcomes.
Attachment theory : A psychological framework describing how early relationships with caregivers shape expectations and behavior. Secure relationships provide a foundation for exploration and participation in learning.
Early childhood curriculum : The planned experiences, goals, and content that organize learning in early childhood settings. Curriculum makes learning aims visible while leaving room for children’s interests.
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