The Importance of Early Childhood Education

Education is an important asset for the advancement of a nation, therefore, every citizen should and must follow the levels of education, both early childhood education, elementary education, secondary education or higher. In the field of education a child from birth requires appropriate services in meeting the educational needs along with understanding of the characteristics of children according to the growth and development will be very helpful in adjusting the learning process for children by age, needs, and each condition, both intellectually, emotionally and social.

Before speaking further, what is early childhood education? Early childhood education (ECD) is the level of education prior to primary education, which is a development effort aimed bagianak from birth until the age of six years are done through the provision of educational stimulation to assist the growth and development of mind and body so that children have a readiness to enter the education further, organized in formal, non-formal, and informal.

Why is early childhood education is very important?

Based on the research results about 50% kapabilitaas intelligence adults have occurred when the child was 4, 8, 0% has been a rapid development of the brain tissue when the children were 8 years old and reached its peak when the child was 18 years old, and after it's done though improved nutrition will have no effect on cognitive development.

This means that the development that occurs within the first 4 years of the same magnitude with the developments in the next 14 years. So that this period is a critical period for children, which are obtained in the development of this highly influential on the development of the next period to adulthood. While this golden age only comes once, so if missed chances means finished.

According to Byrnes, early childhood education will prepare children to face the future periods, the closest is the face of the school year. "Currently, some kindergarten students are asked children who want to enroll there already able to read and count. In the kindergarten had already started to be taught social skills and problem solving. Because of the abilities that can be formed from an early age, "said Byrnes.

Furthermore, according to Byrnes, that early childhood education is important, because at this age the child is the best form of education. In this age of the children must establish himself facing a period of school readiness and future. The best investment you can give to children is to prepare them in early childhood education.

There are two purposes why it should be organized early childhood education, namely:

The main purpose: to establish a qualified child, the child grows and develops in accordance with the level of development that has optimal readiness in entering basic education and through life in adulthood.

Comorbid goal: to help prepare children achieve learning readiness (academic) at the school.

In short, early childhood education is a form of education that focuses on laying the foundation toward growth and physical development (fine and gross motor coordination), intellect (the intellect, creativity, emotional intelligence, spiritual intelligence), socio-emotional (attitude and behavior as well as religious) language and communication, according to the uniqueness and developmental stages through which early childhood.

What is the difference children who receive early childhood education in a quality institution with a child who did not get early childhood education?

According to Byrnes (Winning the title of Woman of the Year Vitasoy Australia) in early childhood education institutions are good, children will learn to be an independent person, socialize strong, confident, has a great curiosity, can take an idea, develop ideas, go to another school and ready to learn, quick to adapt, and a passion for learning.

Meanwhile, the children who did not receive early childhood education, will be slow to accept something. Children who do not receive proper early childhood education, would like a car that does not leak gas. Children are educated early age appropriate to have a full tank, the engine will direct the way so he's in a new place. While children are not educated early age will start the engine trouble, become sluggish.

It is undeniable that early childhood education is an education that is very fundamental and strategic human resource development. Once the importance of education is not surprising that many countries pay great attention to education is up to the government of Indonesia also provide free education up to junior level.