• Early childhood development is defined as the period from conception up

to school entry. It is a unique window of opportunity for children’s

cognitive, social, emotional and physical development, which occurs as
the result of the interaction between the environment and the child.

• Children’s brains are built, moment by moment, as they interact

with their environments. In the first few years of life, more than

one million neural connections are formed each second – a pace

never repeated again. The quality of a child’s early experiences

makes a critical difference as their brains develop, providing

either strong or weak foundations for learning, health and

behaviour throughout life.

• When we give children the best start in life, the benefits are
huge, for every child and for the societies we share. Providing
early childhood development (ECD) interventions to all young
children and families is one of the most powerful and cost-
effective equalizers we have at our disposal, to ensure that the
most vulnerable children can reach their full potential.

• Science shows that life is a story for which the beginning sets the

tone. That makes the early years of childhood a time of great

opportunity, but also great risk.

To make the policies and services maximally effective, they should be:
1. Support responsive relationships for children and adults.
2. Strengthen core skills for planning, adapting, and achieving goals.
3. Reduce sources of stress in the lives of children and families.
The major active ingredient in this developmental process is
the interaction between children and their parents and with other
caregivers in the family or community. When an infant or young child
babbles, gestures, or cries, and an adult responds appropriately with
eye contact, words, or a hug, neural connections are built and
strengthened in the child’s brain. Given the foundational importance of
the first few years of life, the need for responsive relationships in a
variety of settings, starting in infancy, cannot be overstated.
Next, here are examples of opportunities to apply this principle

to practice:
  Coach adult caregivers on serve-and-return interaction

with children in a wide range of settings, including

pediatrics, early care and education programs,

 Reduce caseloads and class sizes to give service providers

enough time to develop relationships with the people they

are expected to help. Allow interactions of sufficient duration,

frequency, and consistency, and reduce administrative

requirements that can cause staff to spend too much time

with forms and too little with the people they serve.

IMPROVE THE DELIVERY OF ESSENTIAL SERVICES THROUGH SYSTEM

STRENGTHENING
Strengthening service delivery systems – an essential part of fostering ECD
programmes – involves ensuring that health workers, nutrition counsellors,
preschool teachers, social workers, child protection workers and frontline workers
in humanitarian settings are adequately trained, equipped and supported to
deliver interventions that foster healthy brain development. UNICEF also
provides capacity support in child-friendly policies to government leaders and
technical decision makers
Now that we understand the importance of teaching strategies in early childhood
education, let’s explore 10 engaging strategies that will help you create a vibrant
and effective learning environment for young children.
1. Play-Based Learning
✅ Play-based learning is a powerful teaching strategy that allows children to
learn through play. It encourages exploration, creativity, and problem-solving
skills. By incorporating play into the curriculum, educators can make learning fun
and engaging for young children.
Play-based learning can take many forms, such as imaginative play, sensory
play, and outdoor play. It provides opportunities for children to develop their
language, social, and cognitive skills while having fun. Through play, children can
explore their interests, express their ideas, and make sense of the world around
them.
Quick Tip: Incorporate play-based learning into your lessons by setting up
different play stations in the classroom. For example, create a dramatic play
area, a sensory table, and a block building station. Allow children to freely
explore and engage in play activities that align with the learning objectives.
Quick Fact: According to research, play-based learning has been shown to
improve children’s social skills, problem-solving abilities, and overall academic
performance.
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2. Hands-On Activities
✅ Hands-on activities are another effective teaching strategy for early
childhood education. These activities allow children to actively engage with
materials and manipulate objects, enhancing their understanding of concepts
and promoting critical thinking skills.
Hands-on activities can include experiments, art projects, building with blocks,
and sensory exploration. By providing children with opportunities to explore and
interact with their environment, educators can foster curiosity, creativity, and a
love for learning.
Quick Tip: Incorporate hands-on activities into your lessons by planning
interactive projects and experiments. For example, you can create a science
experiment where children explore the properties of water or design an art
project that allows them to express their creativity.
Quick Fact: Research shows that hands-on activities can improve children’s
problem-solving skills, spatial reasoning abilities, and scientific thinking.
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3. Individualized Instruction
✅ Individualized instruction is a teaching strategy that tailors the learning
experience to meet the unique needs and abilities of each child. It recognizes
that children learn at different paces and have different learning styles.
By providing individualized instruction, educators can ensure that each child
receives the support and guidance they need to succeed. This strategy involves
assessing each child’s strengths and areas for growth and designing instruction
that addresses their specific needs.
Quick Tip: Implement individualized instruction by using formative assessments
to gather data on each child’s progress. Use this data to create personalized
learning plans and provide targeted instruction and support.
Quick Fact: Research shows that individualized instruction can improve
children’s academic achievement, motivation, and self-confidence.
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4. Scaffolding
✅ Scaffolding is a teaching strategy that provides temporary support to help
children master new skills and concepts. It involves breaking down complex tasks
into smaller, more manageable steps and gradually removing the support as
children become more independent.
By providing scaffolding, educators can support children’s learning and help
them reach their full potential. This strategy promotes active engagement,
critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
Quick Tip: Use scaffolding techniques such as modeling, questioning, and
providing prompts to guide children through challenging tasks. Gradually reduce
the support as children gain confidence and mastery.
Quick Fact: Research shows that scaffolding can improve children’s problem-
solving abilities, self-regulation skills, and metacognitive strategies.
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5. Multisensory Approaches
✅ Multisensory approaches involve engaging multiple senses in the learning
process. This teaching strategy recognizes that children learn best when they
can see, hear, touch, and manipulate materials.
By incorporating multisensory activities into the curriculum, educators can
enhance children’s learning experiences and promote deeper understanding.
This strategy is particularly effective for children with diverse learning styles and
abilities.
Quick Tip: Use multisensory approaches by incorporating visual aids, music,
movement, and hands-on materials into your lessons. For example, you can use
manipulatives, like counting blocks, to teach math concepts or incorporate songs
and rhymes to reinforce language skills.
Quick Fact: Research shows that multisensory approaches can improve
children’s memory, attention, and overall engagement in learning.
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6. Cooperative Learning
✅ Cooperative learning is a teaching strategy that involves students working
together in small groups to achieve a common goal. It promotes collaboration,
communication, and teamwork skills.
By implementing cooperative learning, educators can create a supportive and
inclusive learning environment where children learn from and with their peers.
This strategy encourages active participation, problem-solving, and the
development of social-emotional skills.
Quick Tip: Incorporate cooperative learning into your lessons by assigning
group projects, collaborative discussions, and peer tutoring activities. Provide
clear guidelines and roles to ensure that each child contributes to the group’s
success.
Quick Fact: Research shows that cooperative learning can improve children’s
academic achievement, social skills, and self-esteem.
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7. Inquiry-Based Learning
✅ Inquiry-based learning is a teaching strategy that encourages children to
ask questions, explore, and investigate topics of interest. It promotes curiosity,
critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
By incorporating inquiry-based learning, educators can foster a love for learning
and empower children to take ownership of their education. This strategy
encourages active engagement, independent thinking, and the development of
research skills.
Quick Tip: Implement inquiry-based learning by designing open-ended projects
and investigations that allow children to explore their interests. Encourage them
to ask questions, make predictions, and conduct experiments to find answers.
Quick Fact: Research shows that inquiry-based learning can improve children’s
problem-solving abilities, scientific thinking, and information literacy skills.
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8. Technology Integration
✅ Technology integration is a teaching strategy that incorporates digital tools
and resources into the learning process. It enhances children’s engagement,
creativity, and critical thinking skills.
By leveraging technology, educators can provide interactive and personalized
learning experiences for young children. This strategy allows children to explore
new concepts, collaborate with peers, and access a wealth of information and
resources.
Quick Tip: Integrate technology into your lessons by using educational apps,
interactive whiteboards, and online resources. For example, you can use
educational apps to reinforce math skills or incorporate digital storytelling tools
to enhance language development.
Quick Fact: Research shows that technology integration can improve children’s
digital literacy, problem-solving abilities, and motivation to learn.
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9. Assessment for Learning
✅ Assessment for learning is a teaching strategy that involves ongoing
assessment and feedback to guide instruction and support children’s learning. It
focuses on understanding each child’s progress, strengths, and areas for growth.
By using assessment for learning, educators can identify each child’s individual
needs and tailor instruction accordingly. This strategy promotes self-reflection,
goal-setting, and metacognitive skills.
Quick Tip: Implement assessment for learning by using formative assessments,
observation, and student self-assessment. Use the data gathered to provide
timely and specific feedback to each child and adjust instruction as needed.
Quick Fact: Research shows that assessment for learning can improve children’s
academic achievement, self-regulation skills, and motivation to learn.
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10. Culturally Responsive Teaching
✅ Culturally responsive teaching is a teaching strategy that recognizes and
values the diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives of children. It
promotes inclusivity, empathy, and respect for all cultures.
By incorporating culturally responsive teaching, educators can create a learning
environment that celebrates diversity and fosters a sense of belonging. This
strategy encourages children to appreciate and learn from different cultures,
promoting social-emotional development and global citizenship.
Quick Tip: Implement culturally responsive teaching by incorporating diverse
literature, multicultural activities, and discussions about different cultures into
your lessons. Create a classroom environment that reflects and respects the
cultural identities of all children.
Quick Fact: Research shows that culturally responsive teaching can improve
children’s academic achievement, cultural competence, and social-emotional
well-being.