Early Childhood Education

Early Childhood Education ECI

Last Updated Aug 20, 2008 10:34 PM

The National Institute on Early Childhood Development and Education (ECI) was created to carry out a comprehensive program of research, development, and dissemination to improve early childhood development and learning.

What We Believe?

THE THREE Rs OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

When people think of the three R"s, Reading, wRiting, and aRithmetic come to mind. Long before children enter school, three other R"s build the foundation for later success. At the U.S. Department of Education"s Early Childhood Institute, we support research and share information about the three Rs of early childhood education: Relationships, Resilience, and Readiness.

Relationships

Loving relationships in early childhood--with parents and other adults--build young children"s security and confidence in themselves as capable learners. Parents are their children"s first teachers. In the early years, parents create important learning attitudes and build essential skills. Outside the family, excellent early childhood teachers are the key to quality education. The Early Childhood Institute supports research activities that tell us how relationships can support and strengthen children"s development and learning.

Resilience

What helps a child meet challenges successfully? All children face challenges but many children face the greater obstacles of violence, poverty, bias, or disability. The Early Childhood Institute wants to learn why some children overcome obstacles better than others-why are some children more resilient than others? We also want to know what adults can do to help young children reach their full potential. The Early Childhood Institute supports activities that strengthen children"s resilience and improve their learning environments so that all young children have the tools they need for success.

Readiness

Readiness is much more than knowing the ABCs. Getting "ready for school" requires good health, positive relationships, enriching educational activities, and schools that are ready to help every child succeed at the highest levels. The Early Childhood Institute supports activities that identify the various ingredients of readiness and activities that increase each family"s and community"s ability to prepare every child for a successful experience in an excellent, welcoming school.

How Can We Serve You

The Institute helps its customers through:

• Grants for national research and development centers, grants for field-initiated studies, and in-house research;


• Synthesis and coordination activities;


• Information and referral on families and early childhood development and education; and


• Dissemination of publications, announcements, and topical papers; sharing information at meetings and conferences; and networking activities with public and private organizations.

See also Early Childhood Education 313 1 - 6