The Importance of Early Childhood Development

By: AuthorTanja Mcilroy

The importance of early childhood development lies in how that early learning shapes the child’s
life.
It may seem that learning starts when children begin formal schooling, however, it starts right
from birth. That’s why it is important to create a healthy learning environment for your child to
grow and learn in.
Here are some reasons early childhood development is so important.
1. The First 6 Years Are Crucial
There has been solid evidence supporting that children learn more during their first six years of
life than they do at any other point in their lives. After those first six years, the learning rate
decreases.
You are laying the foundation for how a child will learn and achieve in school in the later years
as well as their overall life.
These first six years of a child’s life are when the brain is developing the most. Neurons are
developing more rapidly than at any other point in their life.
That is why children can learn so many languages at once, but adults have a much more difficult
time.

2. It Lays the Foundation

Whatever a child learns during the first years of their life will have a lasting effect on them.
Therefore, sometimes, in extreme and harmful environments, a child has difficulties in their adult
life. They learn, through therapy, that their problems relate back to childhood experiences.
Because these first several years have such a big impact, you need to lay a solid foundation full
of love, support, and happiness. It is crucial for their future life and relationships.
Research has shown a strong correlation between early childhood development and how
successful that child will be in the future [source].

3. Learning Difficulties Can Be Identified Early

In some cases, children may have learning problems and difficulties. With all difficulties, the
earlier you identify them, the higher the success of treatment for them. If you can see early on
that your child is struggling, you will be able to provide greater help.
You can talk to a professional and get a valid diagnosis and treatment plan. In some cases, early
treatment will help resolve the issue before it becomes more serious. The earlier you can identify
a learning concern in your child, the better.
Child in speech therapy
4. Builds Positive Experiences
The more positive experiences a child has early on, the more they will develop a positive outlook
on things and be more optimistic despite their situations.
It also will help them to develop confidence and great self-esteem.
When a child succeeds at something early on, it encourages them to try again and makes them
feel good about themselves. Then, they will try new things and take on new interests due to that
boost of confidence [source].
5. Shapes Their Identities
Just like with every other aspect of life, early childhood development involves personality.
Even in the womb, babies start to form an identity and personality. When they are born, each
experience they have develops their personality in some shape or form.
When you praise your child, make sure to compliment their efforts instead of their personality.
Instead of saying, “you are smart” say, “I saw how hard you worked on that.”
This will help them to see themselves in the most positive light and develop stronger
personalities.
6. Builds Solid Relationships
As a parent, your relationship with your child will be their first experience of a relationship. If
they start school or preschool later on, your relationship may be one of just a few during the
early years.
The way you handle your relationship with your child is crucial for the health of their future
relationships.
Mother and son hugging
They will watch you and learn from everything you do. If you are in a healthy relationship, they
will learn to interact and form healthy bonds with others too. However, the opposite is also true.
The way you act around your child will help them to know how to act around other people as
well.

7. Affects Their Success at School

Early childhood development has a major impact on future learning abilities in school [source].
If children don’t have a healthy environment early on in the home, they could have major
problems learning in school.
What children learn at home and at preschool during the early years has a huge impact on what
kind of learners they turn out to be in formal schooling.
They will have developed the foundational skills, as well as the ability to listen and concentrate
during lessons.
8. Impacts Emotional and Social Health
Because babies do not talk, they learn through their senses and emotions. They are amazing at
picking up the emotions of their mother and caregiver. Babies know when you are upset or
stressed, and it alters the way they feel as well.
They are also incredible at picking up social cues. If they see you are sad, they become sad as
well. If you smile at them, they instantly smile back. Without language, that is their only way to
communicate.
If their home is a safe and inviting environment, they will learn and develop good social and
emotional health [source]. They will understand there are different emotions and that it is okay to
feel different emotions.
Early childhood is the time to set the foundation for the rest of their lives, and not just in the
social and emotional aspect, but all aspects of their life.
9. Affects Physical Health
Early childhood development also shapes a child’s physical health [source].
Teaching children to brush their teeth from their first tooth will help them to have great personal
hygiene all throughout their life.
Child brushing his teeth
If a child grows up in a healthy home, they are more likely to be healthy as adults. Make sure to
teach them healthy habits from an early age.
10. Builds Enthusiasm for Learning
You can help your child develop a love for learning from an early age. If you encourage it, they
will love school and the process of learning. If you don’t, school may be harder for them.
When you are teaching your child how to do something, make it fun and exciting for them. This
will help instill in them that learning is supposed to be fun. When they fail at something they are
trying to learn, encourage them not to give up but to try again.
A child’s brain is like a sponge. They absolutely love to learn at such a young age. They are
curious about anything and everything. What your child learns during the first few years of their
life will make a huge impact on their future.