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early childhood education and care (ECEC)
Also known as: early childhood programs, early childhood education and care, early childhood education, ECEC, ECE, early care and education services, early care and education, early childhood education and care environments, early childhood education and care (ECEC) centers
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eHealth Tools Supporting Early Childhood Education and Care ... researchprotocols.org Oct 24, 2023 23 facts
claimThe abbreviation ECEC stands for early childhood education and care.
claimeHealth tools can facilitate the evaluation of early childhood education and care environments and the delivery of interventions aimed at enhancing nutrition and physical activity practices within those settings.
claimIn the context of early childhood education and care (ECEC) centers, nutrition environments are defined by physical contexts, such as the availability of healthy food and dramatic play center toys, and social contexts, such as adult-child interactions during meals and ECEC mealtime policies.
claimThe scoping review aims to identify the extent, range, and characteristics of available evidence on eHealth tools in early childhood education and care settings, identify gaps and limitations, and examine the use of theory in the development of these tools.
claimeHealth assessment tools are defined as digital technologies that measure and evaluate the nutrition environment, physical activity environment, policies, knowledge, and practices within early childhood education and care (ECEC) centers.
claimThe development of eating behaviors and dietary intake in young children is strongly influenced by educators and the Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) setting.
referenceHayek J, Elliott K, Vermette M, and Lafave L authored a scoping review protocol titled 'eHealth tools supporting early childhood education and care centers to assess and enhance nutrition and physical activity environments', published on OSF Home in 2023.
claimThe authors of the scoping review are investigating eHealth tools available to assess and support best practices for nutrition and physical activity in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) environments.
claimThe scoping review includes studies focusing on early childhood educators within early childhood education and care (ECEC) centers, specifically those providing full-day care for children aged 0-5 years.
accountPreliminary searches of bibliographic databases for the scoping review on eHealth tools in early childhood education and care (ECEC) settings were carried out in May 2023, and study selection based on titles and abstracts began in August 2023.
claimEmerging eHealth tools have shown potential in promoting best practices for nutrition and physical activity environments in early childhood education and care (ECEC) settings.
claimPhysical activity levels in young children are significantly associated with the specific Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) setting they attend.
claimIn the context of early childhood education and care (ECEC) centers, physical activity environments are defined by physical contexts, such as space for movement activities and time dedicated to activity, and social contexts, such as adult-child interactions during outdoor time and ECEC physical activity policies.
referenceFlynn et al. found that interventions aimed at improving the food environment delivered in the Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) setting were effective in improving childhood outcomes.
procedureThe scoping review on eHealth tools in early childhood education and care (ECEC) settings follows the Joanna Briggs Institute Manual for Scoping Reviews and adheres to the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews) checklist guidelines.
claimA structured review of literature is being conducted to summarize the range and type of eHealth tools available for Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) programs to assess and improve nutrition and physical activity environments.
claimEarly Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) centers are positioned to encourage healthy behaviors and facilitate interventions for fostering healthier habits in young children.
procedureThe scoping review on eHealth tools in early childhood education and care (ECEC) settings utilizes the bibliographic databases PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL Plus, ERIC, and Embase, searching in English and French with no date restrictions.
claimThe scoping review defines eHealth tools as digital technologies that measure and deliver interventions to improve nutrition environments, physical activity environments, or both within ECEC settings.
measurementA preliminary search of PROSPERO, PubMed, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and JBI Evidence Synthesis identified no current or in-progress scoping or systematic reviews regarding eHealth tools in the Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) setting.
claimEarly Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) programs are ideal settings to promote healthy behaviors because a significant portion of a young child's weekly waking hours is spent in these care environments.
referenceThe eligibility criteria for the scoping review on eHealth tools in early childhood education and care (ECEC) settings are: (1) early childhood educators (population); (2) eHealth (digital) technology, such as websites, smartphone apps, email, and social media (concept); and (3) measurement and intervention tools to support best practices for nutrition, physical activity, or both in ECEC settings (context).
procedureThe scoping review will address five specific objectives: (1) identify existing eHealth tools used to assess or improve nutrition or physical activity environments in ECEC centers; (2) describe the components of these tools, including technology type and health purposes; (3) describe the psychometric evidence provided; (4) report the theoretical foundations used in developing the tools; and (5) identify any evidence gaps.
Cross-cultural similarities and variations in parent-child value ... nature.com Nov 26, 2025 7 facts
referenceUkala and Agabi (2017) explored linking early childhood education with indigenous education using gamification as a method for maintaining cultural value and identity.
referenceThe Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (2021) published 'Starting strong VI: Supporting meaningful interactions in early childhood education and care', which focuses on supporting interactions in early childhood settings.
claimThe value of assertiveness was identified in half of the countries examined in the study, suggesting it may be important to integrate this value into international Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) programs by encouraging teachers and caregivers to model strong body language and use 'I-messages' to communicate feelings.
referencePadayachee, Maistry, Harris, and Lortan (2023) explored the value of the indigenous knowledge of ubuntu in early childhood education in South Africa.
perspectiveResearch calls for integrating cultural values into early childhood education and care (ECEC) to ensure cultural sensitivity.
claimThe value of emotional expression was exclusively cited by Kenyan participants in the study, suggesting that Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) in Kenya should emphasize this value.
claimThe study findings on parent-child value transmission have implications for advancing cultural humility and value sensitivity in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC), Early Childhood Development (ECD) information, and digital ECD interventions.
The SAGE Handbook of Play and Learning in Early Childhood sk.sagepub.com 6 facts
perspectiveVeronica Pacini-Ketchabaw's academic work focuses on rethinking and reimagining early childhood education through feminist, postcolonial, anti-racist, and posthumanist perspectives.
claimAmy Noelle Parks is an Associate Professor of Early Childhood Education at the University of Georgia, USA.
claimIngrid Pramling Samuelsson is a Professor of Early Childhood Education at the Department of Education, Communication and Learning at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
claimStuart Reifel is a Professor Emeritus of Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Texas at Austin, where he served as an adviser for graduate studies in early childhood education.
measurementVeronica Pacini-Ketchabaw has over 20 years of professional experience in the field of early childhood education.
claimElizabeth Wood, a Professor of Education at the University of Sheffield, has conducted research on play that has influenced national policy documents for early childhood education in several countries.
The Power of Playful Learning in the Early Childhood Setting | NAEYC naeyc.org Feb 23, 2022 5 facts
claimSocioeconomic achievement gaps continue to exist in early childhood education, representing a significant inequality that educators must acknowledge.
referenceThe NAEYC position statement 'Developmentally Appropriate Practice', published in 2020, outlines standards for developmentally appropriate practice in early childhood education.
claimDevelopmentally appropriate practice in early childhood education does not mean that children play without a planned learning environment or that they learn exclusively through direct instruction.
claimEducators in high-quality early childhood programs offer a range of learning experiences that span the entire play spectrum, from activities with high child agency and low adult involvement to those with more adult involvement.
claimHigh-stakes assessments and curriculum narrowing in early childhood education have increased stress on educators, children, and families without successfully closing achievement gaps.
Manage Nutrition and Physical Activity | Early Care and ... - CDC cdc.gov Nov 16, 2025 5 facts
referenceThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides resources for early care and education (ECE) programs covering topics such as promoting nutrition, physical activity, breastfeeding, state licensing, infant and toddler nutrition, obesity prevention, and increasing access to drinking water and healthier beverages.
procedureEarly care and education (ECE) programs can promote healthy habits by providing nutritious foods, promoting physical activity, limiting screen time, supporting breastfeeding, participating in programs such as the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), and creating opportunities for outdoor learning and Farm to ECE.
claimEarly care and education (ECE) settings can help young children build a foundation for healthy living.
claimBy supporting healthy eating and physical activity, early care and education (ECE) programs can support healthy growth and development, obesity prevention, and lifelong health in children.
claimChildren who attend early care and education (ECE) programs often receive much of their daily food and drink intake and many of their opportunities for physical activity and outdoor time while in care.
Healthy Child Care Settings - The Nutrition Source nutritionsource.hsph.harvard.edu 4 facts
claimPromising Early Care and Education (ECE) interventions include those focused on improving the nutritional quality of meals and snacks, increasing physical activity opportunities, limiting screen time, and providing classroom-based nutrition education.
claimProviding Early Care and Education (ECE) providers with training, technical assistance, and resources to implement obesity prevention is a critical strategy to ensure that recommendations positively impact child nutrition, physical activity, and screen time behaviors.
measurementEarly childcare and education (ECE) programs in the United States reach nearly 75% of children aged 3-5, making them an important setting for health interventions.
procedureEarly childhood education programs apply for Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) reimbursement for the meals and snacks they serve to eligible families.
Nutrition and Physical Activity | healthychildcare.unc.edu 4 facts
claimGo NAPSACC provides online tools designed to assist Early Childhood Education (ECE) programs in meeting evidence-based practices across seven health areas, including nutrition, physical activity, and oral health.
claimRecognizing ECE’s Advancing Children’s Healthy Habits (REACH) is a program that recognizes Early Childhood Education (ECE) programs in North Carolina for meeting evidence-based practices that support children’s health and healthy habits.
claimThe NC Farm to ECE Connections website serves as a clearinghouse for Farm to Early Childhood Education (ECE) resources and connects local farmers with ECE programs.
claimBe Active Kids is a program included within Go NAPSACC that provides training and resources to help Early Childhood Education (ECE) programs promote physical activity among young children.
Early Childhood Development and Education - Healthy People 2030 odphp.health.gov 3 facts
procedureExtended early childhood programs for children up to 3rd grade, known as booster programs, provide comprehensive educational, health, and social services to sustain early developmental and academic gains, utilizing the following components: low student-teacher ratio, focus on basic skills, teacher training, creation of school-parent liaisons, school meals, provision of transportation to and from school, night courses for parents, health care services and referrals, home visitation, and supportive social services.
referenceMagnuson, K. A., & Waldfogel, J. (2005) published 'Early childhood care and education: Effects on ethnic and racial gaps in school readiness' in The Future of Children, 15(1), 169–196, which analyzes the effects of early care and education on ethnic and racial gaps in school readiness.
claimHigh-quality early childhood programs can increase future earning potential and encourage educational attainment.
The Bio-Social, Cultural Context of Family and Community iecmhc.org 3 facts
claimExpanding the definition of family to include kin networks and community resources, such as early care and education services, introduces additional cultural influences on a family's worldview and a child's developmental experience.
claimFor young children in early care and education (ECE) settings, the family serves as the first developmental niche and learning environment, while the second is the experience of close relationships with ECE providers.
claimExpanding the definition of family to include kin networks and community resources, such as early care and education, introduces additional cultural influences on a family's worldview and a child's developmental experience.
The Role of Nutrition in Child Development inspirechildren.com Jul 8, 2024 2 facts
claimIn Dayton, Ohio, collaboration with local organizations such as health departments, agricultural programs, and non-profits can enhance the nutritional support provided to children in early childhood education.
claimChildren who consume a diet rich in essential nutrients demonstrate an improved ability to learn effectively in early childhood education environments, such as those in Dayton, Ohio.
Strategies for Early Care and Education - CDC cdc.gov Mar 21, 2024 1 fact
claimQuality Rating and Improvement Systems (QRIS) are a systematic approach to assessing, communicating, and improving quality in Early Care and Education (ECE) programs.
Cultural Influences on Child Development - Maryville Online online.maryville.edu Apr 8, 2021 1 fact
claimEarly childhood programs can foster children’s physical, mental, and social development.
Taxes, Government Transfers and Wealth Inequality milkenreview.org Jan 21, 2019 1 fact
claimFederal initiatives to promote opportunity, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit, apprenticeship programs, early childhood education, and health care for the young, have never been a large part of the federal budget and are scheduled to decline as a share of GDP.
Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Children: Early Diagnosis and ... alliedacademies.org 1 fact
referenceGutiérrez-Ruiz K, Santoya Montes Y. Early Detection of Neurodevelopmental Disorders as a Strategy for Educational Inclusion in Early Childhood Education. J Autism Dev Disord. 2024:1-7.
Importance of Play in Early Childhood | HeadStart.gov headstart.gov Apr 1, 2024 1 fact
claimOpen-ended materials in early childhood education are defined as toys that can be used in many different ways and encourage imagination, such as blocks, pieces of fabric, water, and sand.
Play: Learning through play child-encyclopedia.com Mar 23, 2023 1 fact
perspectiveExperts in play research generally advocate for a balanced approach to early childhood education that includes opportunities for genuine free play, active adult involvement in structuring play (play tutoring), and, as children age, direct instruction.
The Role of Play in Child Development mtsinaicdc.org Apr 29, 2025 1 fact
perspectiveMt. Sinai Children’s Development Center (CDC) identifies play as a cornerstone of early childhood education, asserting that it facilitates the development of cognitive, physical, emotional, and social skills that children carry throughout their lives.