Introduction to early childhood - Assignment Example

Early childhood in China Early Childhood is an important stage of mental envelopment. The cognitive abilities such as language and learning develop at this stage. It is vital to introduce children at this stage to early childhood education (ECE) because external environments such as school play a great part in improving their cognitive abilities. Early childhood education prepares children to join primary schools. The education has improved since the year 1980 in China. Between the year 2009 and 2012, the rate of enrolment in early childhood education increased by about 13.6 percent. Economic and political system of the country currently influences early child education (Li & Chen 1).

The government encourages parents to enroll their children to early childhood education because it strengthens their educational foundation. Studies confirm that this education increases the readiness of children to learn in higher education levels. Children with early childhood education backgrounds usually perform well in primary school. ECE not only improves students’ performance in schools, but is also influences their social and economic status in adulthood. In an effective early childhood education systems, teachers and parents have to ensure that they create a good relationship with children.

Parents are also encouraged to cooperate with teachers in supporting their children’s early education. They should create a good relationship with children in order to enhance their intelligence and social competence. They should also ensure that their children attend preschool at the right age. The country’s Ministry of Education recommended that children should attend preschool at the age of 3 to 6 years. In China early childhood education, children are usually divided according to their ages.

The government recommends three groups that include junior that consists of children of age 3, middle that has 4-year-old children and seniors who are 5 years old. Effective early childhood programs should consist of appropriate learning environments and effective curriculum. It should also have well trained caregivers who can effectively meet the needs of each child (Vaughan 1). In the past early childhood education in china was poor because parents paid little attention to it. This is because most of them were not aware of the importance of ECE.

In addition, most of them were homemakers. As such, they did not see the need to take their young children to school since early childhood schools were viewed at care centers. However, currently with increased parents’ awareness and government support education at early stages has greatly improved. The government is improving ECE by implementing policies that provide guidance for ECE through long-term programs. The policies have helped in reforming kindergarten education. One of the reforms made in early childhood education in the country is the introduction of Western Curriculum.

With the introduction of the Western curriculum, teachers have faced major challenges because very few of them have professional knowledge of the Western Curriculum. The government is supporting teachers by offering trainings in order to understand the new concepts such as play and pedagogy. In addition, the government allocates resources to support ECE. Some of the Early Childhood schools especially those in rural areas offer poor quality education due lack of sufficient funds. Most preschools in the country are private.

Parents have to pay for their children’s educations. Some parents in rural areas still do not take their children to preschools because they cannot afford. Works CitedLi, Liang. & Chen, Feiyan. Early Childhood Education in China. 2014. Web. 7 May 2014.Vaughan, Joan. Early Childhood Education in China. 2012. Web. 7 May 2014.