Laying the Foundations of Learning
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Development. Copyright © 2000 The Society for International Development. SAGE Publications (London, Thousand Oaks, CA and New Delhi), 1011-6370 (200003) 43:1; 132–139; 011902.
SID On-line Dialogue
Laying the Foundations of Learning
B E R N A R D P. Y. COMBES
ABSTRACT In the past, much of early childhood focused on two functions: either preparing children for school or freeing families from child-care during work. These two functions have dictated much of early childhood policy and its pedagogical approaches. Yet a third direction, long ignored, in early childhood exists and is now seen as the very basis and heart of early childhood – the child’s total well-being and development both emotionally and intellectually. This view is proving its relevance in today’s world of turmoil, conflict and change. Bernard Combes shows how early childhood paves the way for a life of learning, autonomy and discovery. KEYWORDS childhood programmes; integrated education; knowledge; lifelong development
Introduction
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Attention to early childhood is not a luxury or speciality topic – it should be the first step in any effort to invest in children. Research has shown that, for children, the greatest windows of opportunity to develop basic physical, mental, social and emotional capacities are found within the first eight years of life. During this time, not only are crucial brain structures and cognitive patterns established, forming a basis for all future ability to learn, but also children and families learn social, linguistic and behavioural patterns which can determine their social participation or failure. Early childhood is thus the time to explore, experiment and master change but also the crucial period when children may develop positive attitudes towards learning and a desire to participate in the world. The wealth of current experiences provides an effective choice of models and the hope of results at a relatively low cost in terms of human resources and infrastructure. Thus for social planners, parents, community developers, governments and professionals, early childhood programming offers a significant window of opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children and their families, to build the foundations for sustainable human development and
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Combes: The Foundation of Learning to provide entry points to respond to the challenges of our world. Child development and the learning process Child development is a multi-faceted and multidimensional process of change in which the child learns to master increasingly complex levels of movement, thinking, feeling and socialization. The dimensions of this process are all related one to the other, the emotional affecting the cognitive and the physical and vice versa. This complexity calls for a global approach to early childhood with integrated programming to overcome artificial barriers between health, nutrition, learning, etc. The implications of this on society, and on the way children are taught, are enormous. The importance of th
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