During early childhood, the brain forms millions of synapses every second, critical for movement, thinking, communication, and understanding the world. High-quality early childhood education (ECE) can have lasting positive effects. According to the National Education Association (NEA), children who receive quality education before age five are:
- Less likely to repeat a grade
- Less likely to be identified as having special needs
- More academically prepared for later grades
- More likely to graduate from high school
Research is now establishing that children can learn many languages in the first six years. Therefore, while promoting mother tongue, there is also merit in utilizing ECCE as an opportunity to provide exposure to school language, so that children enter school better prepared. However, this should be done in a phased manner. Children should be encouraged to be proficient in their mother tongue/ home language first and then the formal school language (regional language or English) should be introduced.
Historically, visionaries like Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore emphasised the importance of imparting education in the child’s mother tongue. This sentiment holds relevance even today, as research underscores the cognitive benefits of learning in vernacular languages during early childhood.
By prioritising and leveraging the National ECCE Curriculum, India can unlock the immense potential of its young children. By nurturing their intellectual, social, and emotional growth in their formative years, we pave the way for a brighter future for all.
