Early childhood educators need to make a thorough study of the background family and community relationship in which a child is growing up. The findings of such investigations can then be used to optimize the teaching process and dissolve any negative connotations that may work to the child's detriment. On the other hand, both the family and community can work concomitantly towards the child's success later in life. The

130). Interestingly, the research suggests that there is no specific early childhood pedagogy that is inherently superior rather what is important is that children receive exposure to learning as soon as possible. "While no single curriculum or pedagogical approach can be identified as best, children who attend well-planned, high- quality early childhood programs in which curriculum aims are specified and integrated across domains tend to learn more and are better

Early Childhood Education One of the key roles of childhood care providers is to prepare children for school through curricula that assist children nurture their individual cognitive, physical, emotional, and social skills, and at the same time helps instructors respond to the needs, interests, and abilities of each child under their care. Cognitive development is of particular importance in this case, equipping children with knowledge on, among other things, measurement and

Porch (2002) points out that research unequivocally shows that early childhood education paves the way for later educational success. As of now, few states offer fully funded early childhood education programs. As of 2002, only three states offered fully-funded pre-kindergarten programs (Porch 2002). The fundamental purpose of the Early Childhood Development Initiative was to increase awareness of the importance of early childhood education. Yet more work needs to be done

In its most basic sense, play provides a mechanism for a young child to address him or herself and engage with others in a way that precludes feelings of immaturity and inferiority. "Play" invokes a world not limited by temporal boundaries of age and accomplishment and forces a child to relate to the world around him or her. In dramatic, physical, and celebratory play, children are able to develop social

".. other living species,... also with the total environment in which we live." They explain the human ecosystem to include three fundamental organizing conceptions: the human environed unit (HEU); the natural environment (NE); the human constructed environment (HCE). The following diagram portrays "The Human Ecosystem": Bubolz, Eicher, and Sontag (1979, p. 29) The human environed unit (HEU) displayed in the center is located in a specific space in time and can be a