Read: 1266
Early care and education ECE environments play a pivotal role in nurturing young children's healthy brn development. With over half of mothers with children under age 5 participating in the workforce, ECE settings become essential for providing these necessary experiences alongside parental caregiving. To achieve optimal outcomes, it is crucial that children enrolled in high-quality environments receive support from both home-based and center-based care.
As per Child Care Aware statistics from 2018, approximately 15 million young children under age 6 in the United States received care through various arrangements. These included:
Center-Based Care: Children atted designated centers offering structured learning and play-based activities during their day.
Family Childcare: Provided by licensed homes or individuals who offer care similar to a small center setting but within a familiar environment.
The Child Care Aware organization outlines several indicators for high-quality child care across states, focusing on:
Sensitivity and Responsiveness: Educators and caregivers who respond sensitively to each child's needs and emotions.
Play-Based Learning: Opportunities for children to engage in play, which is fundamental for cognitive development.
Family Engagement: Strong partnerships between the child care providers and parents.
Young children's brns are uniquely capable of substantial growth during their early years, making this period crucial for brn development:
Sensory Experiences: Exposure to diverse sensory experiences supports neural connections in various parts of the brn.
Emotional Stability: Positive emotional interactions contribute significantly to a child’s overall well-being and future relationships.
Educators can foster healthy brn development by:
Continuous Learning: Understanding child development stages and responding accordingly.
Individual Attention: Recognizing each child's unique needs and providing tlored support.
Collaborative Partnerships: Regular communication with parents to ensure consistent care strategies.
The first years of life are foundational for brn growth, emphasizing the importance of early experiences in shaping cognitive, emotional, and social skills.
Bales et al., 2018. Better Brns for Babies Educator's Guidehttps:bbbgeorgia.org
Child Care Aware of America, 2018. Child care in America 2018 state fact sheetshttps:usa.childcareaware.orgadvocacy-public-policyresourcesresearchstatefactsheets
Child Care Aware, 2015. Is this the right place for my child? Research-based indicators of high-quality child carehttps:childcareaware.orgwp-contentuploads201604Eng_121m.pdf
Roth Sweatt, 2011. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 524, pp.398-408.
United States Census Bureau, 2013. Who’s minding the kids?http:www.census.govprod2013pubsp70-135.pdf Child care arrangements: Spring 2011.
was crafted with contributions from:
Diane W. Bales
Professor and Extension Development Specialist
Child Life Program Director
Family Consumer Sciences
To contact your local UGA Extension office for tlored assistance, please use the following options:
Phone: insert phone numbertel:insert phone number
UGA Extension translates scientific knowledge into practical solutions that enhance farm productivity, family well-being, and community progress across Georgia. Established for over a century, our network of committed specialists, agents, and volunteers provides research-based education and guidance to Georgians.
Commodity Teamshttps:www.extension.uga.educommodityteams
Georgia 4-Hhttps:www.extension.uga.edugeorgia4h
UGA College of Agricultural Environmental Scienceshttps:www.caes.uga.edu
UGA College of Family Consumer Scienceshttps:www.cfas.uga.edu
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Receive weekly updates with the latest UGA Extension news.
Join nowhttps:www.extension.uga.edunewsletter-subscription
This article is reproduced from: https://extension.uga.edu/publications/detail.html?number=C1053-04&title=what-child-care-can-do-to-support-brain-development
Please indicate when reprinting from: https://www.903r.com/Healthy_Baby/Supporting_Brn_Development_Through_Quality_Child_Care.html
Early Childhood Brain Development Support High Quality Childcare Environment Factors Sensory Experiences for Healthy Growth Emotional Stability in Young Children Play Based Learnings Cognitive Impact Collaborative Partnerships in Childcare