What is Early Childhood Intervention? A successful way to give a child a jump on communication and a great way to spend your professional day. Research in our field tells us that early intervention is very important to success in speech and language development.
We wanted to put together the most commonly asked questions about early intervention (called “EI” for short in most parts of the US, and “ECI”, or “early childhood intervention” in Texas). This is information to share with families or use to serve the little ones. There is also a great need for professionals who want to work with young children. So, hopefully this list will help you on your way.
Below you’ll find the answers to your questions with links to follow for more in-depth information.
Early childhood development refers to the most rapid period of growth in human life. Although there are individual variations in speed of development, all children progress through a predictable sequence of physical, cognitive, and emotional changes as they grow. The Early Child Development approach is based on the proven fact that young children respond best when caregivers use specific techniques designed to encourage and stimulate progress to the next level of development. See the following link for a chart of developmental stages for young children:
The answer to the question depends on you! Two good reasons to go into the field include a love working with children and a desire to help them achieve their full potential. It also helps to have patience and good management and organizational skills. Early childhood education is a career path that brings both challenges and rewards. Check out the link below for more information:
Early childhood is commonly defined as the period from infancy up to when a child enters school. Some definitions place the end of the early childhood period as late as eight years old.
An early intervention program is a specially designed approach to assist at-risk child populations, especially developmentally delayed infants and pre-school children. The program generally provides resources and supports that assist families in maximizing their child's physical, cognitive, and social/emotional development. Examples of interventions include “educating and supporting parents, delivering services to children, developing capacities of caregivers and teachers, and using mass communications to enhance parents and caregiver's knowledge and practices. Programs for children can be center or home-based, formal or non-formal, and can include parent education.”
An early childhood educator is defined in a variety of ways. Generally, an ECE is a practitioner who works with children from infancy to school age in a variety of settings to promote their intellectual, physical, social and emotional growth. An ECE may also be someone who is in a supervisory role involved in indirect work associated with young children and families or someone who educates student practitioners or supervisors.
The term “ECE” units refers to “early childhood education” units. These units are earned through courses that give training and advice in the area of early childhood development and education. Once you’ve earned these units, there is no annual requirement for professionals. See the following link for more in-depth information:
Check out our Early Intervention Guidebook if you work with young children or are a parent who want to improve your child’s communication.
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