In 1997, breakthrough brain research demonstrated the importance of the first three years of life in the healthy development of children, leading to a national campaign called "I Am Your Child" (Kyle, 1997). The campaign brings together health and early childhood experts, foundations, corporations, and civic leaders to expand the work being done across the U.S. in the healthy development of young children. This paper will look at early childhood development, when different developmental features arise, some of the factors which affect them, and the effects of early childhood development on later life behavioral patterns.
A major issue in child development is the extent to which educational intervention can impact the pattern of growth (Weikart, 1998, p. 233). The High/Scope Perry Preschool study, which began in 1992, has now reported results through age 27. These findings indicate significantly improved social responsibility and educational performance in adult life by children who participated when compared with the randomly assigned nonparticipating group. The longitudinal High/Scope Curriculum Comparison study found that children who had experienced a highly intensive academic program were significantly less socially responsible at age 23 than were children from programs that encouraged individual choice and initiative. These studies indicate that children at ages three and four are at a sensitive period in their development toward stable adult behavior patterns. High-quality early education programs can significantly improve adult adjustment and performance. However, such programs need to involve the child in active experiences and independent decision-making to be effective (Weikart, 1998, p. 237).
A study looking at what kind of information children use when orienting themselves in a new environment if given proximal and distal landmarks, and how spatial memory develops in young children was conducted by Lehnung ...