{"id":751,"date":"2013-08-27T01:06:13","date_gmt":"2013-08-27T01:06:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/content.scienceofecd.com\/secd-intro\/?page_id=751"},"modified":"2026-10-29T18:09:52","modified_gmt":"2026-10-29T18:09:52","slug":"ec-3-2-organizing-for-early-childhood-education","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/content.scienceofecd.com\/secd-intro\/ec-3-2-organizing-for-early-childhood-education\/","title":{"rendered":"EC 3.2 Strengthening early child development programs"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Consider…<\/strong><\/p>\n

Early childhood education options<\/strong><\/p>\n

\nCarlana lives in downtown Halifax and is five-years-old. She goes to Primary (Kindergarten) in the local public school every morning\u2026 Read more<\/a> <\/span><\/strong>\n<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n

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Children do not come to an early childhood setting merely to do their “learning”. They “live” in these settings for many hours each week. Just as they discover at home how the toilet flushes, how round things roll and square things stay put, or how soothing it is to hear dad’s voice sing them to sleep, each hour in an early childhood setting is filled with new information and experiences.<\/p>\n

Early childhood education programs can work hand-in-hand with families, creating a community of and for families with young children. In such programs, early childhood educators act as a ready resource to answer the many questions parents have, to model effective practices, and link parents to other community resources if required.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Do you think early childhood education programs can be called the “new extended family”. Why?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ask preschool children what they like best about their early childhood program. What do they mention most often?<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n

The Shirley G. Moore Laboratory School at the University of Minnesota is sponsored by the Institute of Child Development. It demonstrates exemplary early childhood education practices, prepares educators, and is involved in research and child study. Sheila Williams-Ridge is the director of the Lab School. Watch the next video to learn more about how this lab school creates a welcoming, calming and non-institutional environment for children and families.
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\n VIEW<\/span>Williams-Ridge – welcoming environment (2:36)<\/span> \n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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