CHAPTER 4
Early Childhood Early childhood (2 years to 6 years) is a critical period in the development of the human potential. Foundations for all aspects of development are laid during this stage. It is the period of the development of initiative. The child acts on his needs. If these attempts are supported and are quite successful, he develops a sense of confidence in himself. It is also referred to as preschool age. This child’s physical and motor development affects not only his succeeding physical growth and motor development but also his sense of identity and sense of control. His acquisition of language and understanding of concepts influence his intellectual development. His social interactions with his family and significant others determine how he progresses socially and emotionally. The family and the preschool need to be aware of the characteristics and needs in this stage so they can facilitate maximum growth and development of the child.

Characteristics of Early Childhood Early childhood is characterized by the things young children do and learn when they are about three to six years old.

1. Activity Age - A healthy child engages in all kinds of tasks.

2. Discovery Age – The young child starts to learn many things about himself and his environment.

3. Exploration Age – The child manipulates his body and his environment.

4. Socialization Age – The child begins to meet people in his neighborhood and community.

5. Imitation Age – The child copies just any model that gets his attention.

6. Play Age – The child engages in different kinds of play and activities.

7. Vocabulary Age – The child accumulates vocabulary from his interactions.

8. Curiosity Age – The child tries to understand his environment.

9. Inquisitive or Questioning Age – The preschool always asks about the varied things in