Early Childhood Education and Its Importance for the Child’s Integral Development
Keywords:
early childhood education, integral development, early childhood, educational quality, teacher trainingAbstract
Early childhood education constitutes a fundamental stage for the child’s integral development, as it represents a critical period for the consolidation of cognitive, linguistic, and socioemotional skills. The present study aimed to analyze teachers’ perceptions regarding the importance of early childhood education and its relationship with children’s integral development. The research was conducted under a quantitative approach, using a non-experimental, cross-sectional, and correlational design. The sample consisted of 267 teachers from public and private early childhood education institutions, selected through stratified probabilistic sampling. Data were collected using a structured Likert-type questionnaire validated through expert judgment, demonstrating adequate reliability levels (α = .90). The results indicate that more than 90% of teachers consider early childhood education to have high or very high relevance in child development. Positive perceptions were also predominant regarding the use of play-based strategies, structured curricular planning, and children’s cognitive and socioemotional development. However, areas for improvement were identified, particularly concerning the availability of teaching materials and ongoing professional development for teachers. It is concluded that early childhood education is recognized as a strategic pillar for sustainable human development; nevertheless, its strengthening requires investment in resources and teacher training. The findings provide empirical evidence to inform policy design aimed at improving educational quality in early childhood.
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Copyright (c) 2024 Juan Martín Pérez (Autor/a)
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