Early Childhood refers to the first eight years of a person’s life. Throughout this period, children go through great cognitive, social, emotional, physical and language development. A variety of factors play a role in these areas of development, some of which include: nutrition, social interaction, play-based learning activities, and learning environment.
In a speech made to the Canadian Houses of Parliament in 2014, Mawlana Hazar Imam explained why investing in the early years is key.
“It is the period of the greatest development of the brain, he said. “This education is one of the most cost-effective ways to improve the quality of life for rural as well as urban populations.”
Children having access to quality early childhood development (ECD) also benefits society as a whole. Mumtaz Vasta, Lead Teacher at the Aga Khan Early Learning Centre in Dubai, explains “ECD not only prepares children for success but also benefits society by reducing long-term costs and fostering a productive, capable generation.”
When it comes to creating a supportive learning environment, don’t worry about obtaining the most expensive toys for your children. Instead, Mumtaz outlines how “early learning is not about expensive products but about providing a nurturing environment where children feel safe, engaged, and free to explore and create.”
To help with a child’s cognitive development, adequate sleep, nutrition and creative activities all play a significant role. By helping with a child's cognitive development, you're also helping with their memory, communication skills, decision making skills and more, to set them up for success later in life.
Impactful play-based learning helps children with their social skills and critical thinking, and stimulates creativity. Simple games such as the classic peek-a-boo are helpful. As children grow up, the types of activities develop, from peek-a-boo to colouring to puzzle-making but all help a child learn and gain different skills.
Various types of play-based learning don’t even require toys. Mumtaz suggests nature walks, getting your child involved with simple cooking tasks, like kneading dough, and even listening to music and encouraging movement.
With each type, children are able to develop different skills and form better understandings of how to interact in different environments. For example, role play with children can help them interact in different environments. Children can gain a sense of how to interact socially, better understand familial roles and so on, based on the scenario played out.
Nutrition is another key element in ECD. During the first 1,000 days (from pregnancy until a child’s 2nd birthday) there should be great emphasis placed on nutrition. Children need a variety of nutrients to support their energy levels, growth, immunity, and more. If adequate nutrition is not provided, children could suffer from nutrient deficiencies or lowered immune systems.
Sleep is another important consideration, although it can be challenging for many. Roughly 25 to 50 percent of children struggle with sleep. It’s important to figure out what helps your child best and what may cause difficulty. Getting enough sleep for children helps with their attention, alertness, memory, cognitive development and more.
Overall, if children lack stimulating environments during their early years, they “may experience delays in cognitive, emotional, and social growth,” Mumtaz outlines. “They could struggle with language, problem-solving, and building relationships, which can impact their academic performance and mental health.”
In the long-term, “this can result in lower educational attainment, fewer career opportunities, and increased inequality, especially for children from disadvantaged backgrounds.”
Birth to age eight are the most important years for a child’s development and there’s various ways to help children at home or in daycare facilities. The important thing is to invest the time and effort into making sure you provide the most healthy and positively stimulating environment possible.
At the inauguration of the Aga Khan School in Osh, Kyrgyzstan, Mawlana Hazar Imam spoke about preparing for success in the modern world: “I have come to the conclusion that there is no greater form of preparation for change than education,” he said. “I also think that there is no better investment that the individual, parents, and the nation can make than an investment in education of the highest possible quality.”
