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 0–4 weeks); infant (ages 4 weeks – 1 year); toddler (ages 1–2 years); preschooler (ages 2–5 years); school-aged child; adolescent.

Developmental Stages

Early childhood follows the infant stage and precedes the school age stage. It is characterized by the development of a child's sense of self, understanding of the world, and the start of school. The major developmental tasks for young children during this stage include:

• Developing motor skills
• Learning to communicate and interact with others
• Beginning to understand and follow social norms
• Starting to learn and understand the concept of cause and effect

Importance of Early Childhood Development

The experiences children have in early childhood shape the brain and the child's capacity to learn, to get along with others, and to respond to daily stresses and challenges. Early childhood development sets the foundation for lifelong learning, behavior, and health.

Factors Influencing Early Childhood Development

Several factors can influence early childhood development. These include:

• Genetics
• Environment
• Parenting
• Nutrition
• Education
• Socioeconomic status

See Also

• Child development
• Childhood
• Infant
• Toddler
• Preschooler
• School age