Early childhood educators play a crucial role in shaping the future of our society. They are responsible for nurturing young minds and providing a solid foundation for children’s future learning and development. But what qualities make an effective early childhood educator? In this article, we will explore the essential qualities that every early childhood educator should possess to ensure that they can provide the best possible care and education for young children. From patience and empathy to creativity and adaptability, we will delve into the qualities that help create a positive and enriching learning environment for children. So, let’s get started!
The Importance of Early Childhood Education
Shaping Future Generations
Early childhood education plays a crucial role in shaping the future generations of a society. It lays the foundation for a child’s cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development, which has a lasting impact on their lives.
The quality of early childhood education has a direct correlation with a child’s academic success, social skills, and future employment opportunities. It is, therefore, essential to ensure that young children receive the best possible care and education in their formative years.
Research has shown that children who receive high-quality early childhood education are more likely to graduate from high school, attend college, and pursue careers that offer better wages and benefits. This, in turn, contributes to the overall economic growth and prosperity of a society.
Moreover, early childhood education helps to develop a child’s social and emotional skills, which are essential for their future success. Children learn to interact with others, manage their emotions, and develop a sense of empathy and compassion. These skills are critical for building positive relationships, both personally and professionally, throughout their lives.
In addition, early childhood education promotes physical development by providing opportunities for children to engage in active play, develop motor skills, and learn about healthy habits. This foundation helps children to adopt healthy lifestyles and reduces the risk of obesity and other chronic diseases later in life.
In conclusion, early childhood education plays a vital role in shaping future generations. It lays the foundation for a child’s cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development, which has a lasting impact on their lives. Therefore, it is essential to invest in high-quality early childhood education to ensure that young children receive the best possible care and education in their formative years.
Building a Strong Foundation for Learning
Early childhood education plays a crucial role in shaping the future of a child. It lays the foundation for their academic, social, and emotional development, providing them with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in life. A strong foundation for learning is built on several essential elements that are crucial for a child’s growth and development.
One of the most important elements is positive relationships. Children who have positive relationships with their teachers and peers are more likely to have a strong sense of self-worth and feel valued. Positive relationships also help children feel safe and secure, which is essential for learning.
Another important element is responsive and nurturing care. Children who receive responsive and nurturing care from their teachers are more likely to have better cognitive and social outcomes. Teachers who are responsive to children’s needs and provide individualized care help children feel valued and supported.
A third essential element is high-quality curriculum. High-quality curriculum that is designed to meet the unique needs and interests of each child helps children develop cognitive, social, and emotional skills. It also provides children with opportunities to explore and learn about the world around them.
Finally, parent involvement is also a critical element in building a strong foundation for learning. Parents who are involved in their child’s education are more likely to have better academic outcomes and higher levels of engagement in school. Parent involvement also helps build positive relationships between parents and teachers, which is essential for a child’s success in school.
In conclusion, building a strong foundation for learning in early childhood education requires positive relationships, responsive and nurturing care, high-quality curriculum, and parent involvement. These essential elements help children develop the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in school and in life.
Long-Term Benefits for Society
Early childhood education has long been recognized as a vital component of society’s overall development. Research has shown that investing in early childhood education has significant long-term benefits, not just for the individual child, but also for the wider community. Some of these benefits include:
- Economic growth: Research indicates that children who receive high-quality early childhood education are more likely to attend school, graduate from high school, and pursue higher education. This, in turn, leads to a more educated and skilled workforce, which is essential for economic growth and development.
- Crime reduction: Studies have shown that children who participate in high-quality early childhood programs are less likely to engage in criminal activity as they grow older. This can lead to a reduction in crime rates and a safer society overall.
- Healthier communities: Early childhood education has been linked to better health outcomes for children, including lower rates of obesity, better social-emotional development, and improved physical health. This, in turn, can lead to healthier communities and reduced healthcare costs.
- Reduced reliance on social welfare programs: Children who receive high-quality early childhood education are more likely to have better outcomes in school and in life, which can lead to reduced reliance on social welfare programs. This can save governments money in the long run and improve overall societal well-being.
Overall, investing in early childhood education has a range of long-term benefits for society as a whole. By providing young children with the best possible start in life, we can help build a brighter future for everyone.
The Qualities of an Effective Early Childhood Educator
Passion for Teaching
An effective early childhood educator must possess a genuine passion for teaching. This passion serves as the driving force behind their dedication to creating a nurturing and engaging learning environment for young children. The following are the key aspects of a teacher’s passion for teaching:
- Love for Children: A passionate educator loves children and sees them as individuals with unique talents, interests, and abilities. They view each child as a precious gift and are committed to fostering their growth and development.
- Desire to Learn: An effective early childhood educator has a continuous desire to learn and grow professionally. They seek out opportunities for professional development, engage in reflective practice, and stay informed about the latest research and best practices in early childhood education.
- Creativity: A passionate educator is creative and imaginative in their approach to teaching and learning. They use various strategies to engage children and spark their curiosity, such as storytelling, art, music, and play-based learning.
- Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion: An effective early childhood educator is committed to creating an inclusive and diverse learning environment that celebrates and values the unique backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives of all children and families.
- Patience and Compassion: A passionate educator is patient and compassionate, understanding that young children are still developing and learning. They approach challenging behaviors and misunderstandings with empathy and patience, recognizing that children are learning and growing every day.
- Advocacy for Children: An effective early childhood educator is an advocate for children, working to ensure that their needs and interests are represented and addressed in the broader educational and community contexts. They actively participate in discussions and decisions that impact young children and their families, advocating for their rights and well-being.
By possessing these qualities, an effective early childhood educator demonstrates a deep love and commitment to their work, which directly impacts the quality of education and care provided to young children. This passion is crucial in creating a positive and nurturing environment that supports the social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development of young children.
Patience and Compassion
One of the most important qualities of an effective early childhood educator is patience. Working with young children requires a lot of patience, as they often have short attention spans and can become easily frustrated. An effective educator must be able to remain calm and patient, even in challenging situations.
Another essential quality is compassion. Early childhood educators must be able to empathize with their students and understand their emotions. Children at this age are still learning how to express their feelings, and an effective educator must be able to provide a safe and nurturing environment where children feel comfortable expressing themselves.
Moreover, compassion helps educators build strong relationships with their students, which is crucial for their development. By showing empathy and understanding, educators can create a sense of trust and security that allows children to feel comfortable exploring and learning.
Additionally, compassion also helps educators understand the unique needs of each child. Every child is different, and an effective educator must be able to recognize and respond to those differences. By being compassionate, educators can develop a deeper understanding of each child’s strengths, weaknesses, and interests, which helps them tailor their teaching methods to meet each child’s individual needs.
Overall, patience and compassion are essential qualities for effective early childhood educators. These qualities help educators create a safe, nurturing environment where children can learn and grow, and develop strong relationships with their students that can last a lifetime.
Strong Communication Skills
An effective early childhood educator must possess strong communication skills to establish a positive relationship with children, parents, and colleagues. Communication skills play a vital role in fostering a nurturing and supportive environment that promotes learning and development. Here are some essential aspects of strong communication skills for early childhood educators:
- Active Listening: Active listening is crucial for understanding the needs, interests, and concerns of children and their families. Educators must be attentive and engaged while listening to children, parents, and colleagues, ensuring that they fully comprehend the information being shared. Active listening enables educators to tailor their teaching approaches to meet the individual needs of each child.
- Clear and Concise Communication: Early childhood educators must communicate clearly and concisely to ensure that children and parents understand important information about the child’s progress, development, and learning objectives. Clear communication helps to establish trust and open lines of dialogue between educators, children, and families. It is essential to use age-appropriate language and provide concrete examples to facilitate understanding.
- Empathy and Understanding: Effective communication requires empathy and understanding. Educators must be able to put themselves in the shoes of children and families, recognizing that everyone has unique experiences, perspectives, and feelings. By demonstrating empathy and understanding, educators can foster a supportive and inclusive environment that promotes learning and well-being.
- Nonverbal Communication: Nonverbal communication, such as facial expressions, body language, and tone of voice, plays a significant role in conveying messages to children and families. Early childhood educators must be aware of their nonverbal cues and ensure that they convey warmth, respect, and understanding. Nonverbal communication can complement verbal communication and help to establish trust and rapport.
- Cultural Competence: In today’s diverse society, early childhood educators must be culturally competent to effectively communicate with children and families from various backgrounds. Cultural competence involves understanding, respecting, and valuing diverse cultures, beliefs, and practices. Educators must be sensitive to cultural differences and adapt their communication styles to meet the needs of each individual child and family.
- Conflict Resolution: Effective communication also involves resolving conflicts and addressing challenging situations. Early childhood educators must be skilled in conflict resolution, utilizing strategies such as active listening, empathy, and compromise to resolve disagreements. Conflict resolution skills help to maintain positive relationships with children, families, and colleagues, creating a harmonious learning environment.
By possessing strong communication skills, early childhood educators can establish positive relationships with children, families, and colleagues, fostering a nurturing and supportive environment that promotes learning and development. Effective communication enables educators to understand the unique needs of each child, tailor their teaching approaches, and collaborate with families to ensure the best possible outcomes for young learners.
Creativity and Flexibility
An effective early childhood educator must possess a unique blend of creativity and flexibility to engage and nurture young minds. Creativity allows educators to design and implement activities that spark children’s curiosity and encourage their natural love for exploration. Flexibility, on the other hand, enables educators to adapt to the changing needs and interests of children, ensuring that the learning environment remains dynamic and responsive to their evolving developmental stages.
Creativity is crucial in early childhood education because it encourages children to think outside the box, experiment with new ideas, and express themselves in innovative ways. It enables educators to design lesson plans that are not only educational but also enjoyable and memorable for the children. Creativity can be displayed in various forms, such as art projects, music and movement activities, dramatic play, and storytelling. These activities not only stimulate children’s imagination and cognitive development but also help them build self-esteem and social skills.
Flexibility, on the other hand, is essential because it allows educators to respond to the individual needs and interests of each child. Every child is unique, and their developmental progress may vary. By being flexible, educators can adapt their teaching methods and materials to meet the specific needs of each child, ensuring that they receive the best possible education. Additionally, flexibility enables educators to create a safe and nurturing environment where children feel comfortable expressing themselves and exploring new ideas.
In conclusion, creativity and flexibility are two essential qualities of an effective early childhood educator. By incorporating these qualities into their teaching practices, educators can create a stimulating and supportive learning environment that fosters the intellectual, social, and emotional development of young children.
Knowledge of Child Development
An effective early childhood educator must possess a deep understanding of child development. This means being knowledgeable about the various stages of a child’s cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development.
Cognitive Development
An understanding of cognitive development is essential for an early childhood educator. This includes knowledge of how children acquire language, the development of problem-solving skills, and the ways in which children think and reason.
Social and Emotional Development
An early childhood educator must also be familiar with the social and emotional development of young children. This includes understanding how children form relationships, develop self-esteem, and manage their emotions.
Physical Development
Physical development is another area of child development that an effective early childhood educator must understand. This includes knowledge of how children develop motor skills, as well as an understanding of nutrition and physical activity.
Age-Appropriate Practice
In addition to having a broad understanding of child development, an effective early childhood educator must also be knowledgeable about age-appropriate practice. This means understanding what types of activities and experiences are appropriate for different age groups, and being able to adapt teaching strategies to meet the needs of individual children.
Overall, a deep understanding of child development is essential for an effective early childhood educator. This knowledge enables educators to create engaging and meaningful learning experiences that support the holistic development of young children.
Ability to Build Relationships
Building relationships is a crucial quality for an effective early childhood educator. Young children rely heavily on their caregivers for emotional support and security, and a strong bond between a child and their educator can have a lasting impact on their social and emotional development.
An effective early childhood educator understands the importance of building trust and creating a safe and nurturing environment for children. They take the time to get to know each child individually, understanding their unique strengths, interests, and needs. By doing so, they can tailor their approach to meet the specific needs of each child, fostering a sense of belonging and promoting a positive attitude towards learning.
In addition to building trust, an effective early childhood educator is also skilled in communication. They are able to communicate effectively with children, using age-appropriate language and engaging in meaningful conversations. They also communicate effectively with parents and other caregivers, keeping them informed of their child’s progress and any concerns that may arise.
Moreover, an effective early childhood educator is able to create a warm and welcoming environment, where children feel comfortable expressing themselves and their emotions. They encourage children to share their thoughts and feelings, and provide support and guidance when needed. By creating a safe space for children to express themselves, an effective educator helps children develop healthy emotional habits and resilience.
In summary, the ability to build relationships is a critical quality for an effective early childhood educator. By taking the time to get to know each child individually, building trust, communicating effectively, and creating a safe and nurturing environment, an educator can positively impact a child’s social and emotional development, laying a strong foundation for future learning and success.
The Role of Early Childhood Educators in Shaping the Future
Creating a Positive Learning Environment
Early childhood educators play a vital role in shaping the future of young children. They are responsible for providing a nurturing and positive learning environment that fosters cognitive, social, and emotional development. In this section, we will discuss the essential qualities of an effective early childhood educator and how they can create a positive learning environment.
Importance of a Positive Learning Environment
A positive learning environment is crucial for young children’s development. It provides a safe and welcoming space where children feel comfortable expressing themselves and exploring their interests. A positive learning environment also fosters a sense of belonging and encourages positive relationships with others.
Qualities of an Effective Early Childhood Educator
An effective early childhood educator possesses several essential qualities that enable them to create a positive learning environment. These qualities include:
- Patience: Early childhood educators must be patient and understanding, as young children often struggle with new concepts and skills.
- Creativity: An effective educator should be creative and able to develop engaging and interactive lesson plans that capture children’s attention and promote learning.
- Flexibility: Early childhood educators must be flexible and adaptable to changes in the classroom, as children’s needs and interests can change rapidly.
- Empathy: An effective educator should be empathetic and able to understand and appreciate each child’s unique strengths, interests, and needs.
- Passion: Early childhood educators should be passionate about their work and committed to creating a positive learning environment that promotes growth and development.
Strategies for Creating a Positive Learning Environment
To create a positive learning environment, early childhood educators can use several strategies, including:
- Establishing clear expectations and routines: Children thrive in environments with clear expectations and routines. Early childhood educators should establish rules and routines that are consistent and easy for children to follow.
- Encouraging positive relationships: Early childhood educators should encourage positive relationships between children and between children and adults. This can be achieved by modeling positive interactions and encouraging cooperation and teamwork.
- Creating a safe and welcoming space: A safe and welcoming space is essential for young children’s development. Early childhood educators should ensure that the classroom is clean, organized, and free of hazards. They should also create a welcoming atmosphere that promotes a sense of belonging and encourages children to explore and learn.
- Using developmentally appropriate practices: Early childhood educators should use developmentally appropriate practices that are based on children’s age, abilities, and interests. This can include using hands-on activities, play-based learning, and other interactive approaches that promote engagement and learning.
In conclusion, creating a positive learning environment is essential for the development of young children. Early childhood educators must possess several essential qualities, including patience, creativity, flexibility, empathy, and passion. By using strategies such as establishing clear expectations and routines, encouraging positive relationships, creating a safe and welcoming space, and using developmentally appropriate practices, early childhood educators can create a positive learning environment that fosters growth and development.
Encouraging Holistic Development
Early childhood educators play a vital role in shaping the future of young children by fostering their holistic development. This involves nurturing not only their cognitive abilities but also their physical, social, and emotional growth. In this section, we will explore the various ways in which effective early childhood educators encourage holistic development in the children under their care.
- Cognitive Development: An effective early childhood educator understands that children’s cognitive development is a crucial aspect of their overall growth. They engage children in activities that stimulate their curiosity and encourage them to explore and learn about the world around them. They also provide opportunities for children to develop problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and creativity.
- Physical Development: Early childhood educators also pay attention to children’s physical development. They encourage children to engage in physical activities that help them develop motor skills, coordination, and balance. They also provide opportunities for children to learn about their bodies and how to take care of them.
- Social and Emotional Development: The social and emotional development of young children is crucial to their overall well-being. Effective early childhood educators create a warm and nurturing environment that fosters positive relationships between children and their peers, as well as between children and adults. They encourage children to express their feelings and emotions in a healthy and constructive manner, and they provide guidance and support when needed.
- Language Development: Language development is a critical aspect of holistic development in young children. Effective early childhood educators create opportunities for children to engage in meaningful conversations, listen to stories, and learn new words and concepts. They also recognize and celebrate the diversity of languages and cultures represented in their classrooms.
In conclusion, encouraging holistic development is an essential aspect of the role of early childhood educators in shaping the future. By nurturing children’s cognitive, physical, social and emotional, and language development, effective early childhood educators lay the foundation for lifelong learning and success.
Supporting Social and Emotional Growth
Early childhood educators play a vital role in shaping the future of young children by supporting their social and emotional growth. This involves creating a nurturing and stimulating environment that fosters positive relationships, self-esteem, and emotional intelligence. Here are some key strategies that effective early childhood educators use to support social and emotional growth:
Building Positive Relationships
One of the most important things that early childhood educators can do to support social and emotional growth is to build positive relationships with children. This involves creating a warm and welcoming environment where children feel safe, loved, and valued. By taking the time to get to know each child and their unique needs, interests, and personalities, educators can create strong bonds of trust and respect.
Encouraging Self-Expression
Another key strategy for supporting social and emotional growth is to encourage self-expression. This means giving children the opportunity to express themselves in a variety of ways, such as through art, music, drama, or storytelling. By providing a safe and supportive space for self-expression, educators can help children develop their creativity, self-confidence, and emotional intelligence.
Teaching Social Skills
Effective early childhood educators also teach social skills to young children. This involves modeling and teaching important social skills such as sharing, cooperating, taking turns, and communicating effectively. By providing opportunities for children to practice these skills in a supportive and safe environment, educators can help them develop the social competence and emotional intelligence they need to succeed in school and in life.
Promoting Emotional Intelligence
Finally, effective early childhood educators promote emotional intelligence by helping children to understand and manage their emotions. This involves teaching children about different emotions, modeling healthy emotional expression, and providing support and guidance when children are struggling with difficult feelings. By promoting emotional intelligence, educators can help children develop the resilience, empathy, and self-regulation skills they need to thrive in all areas of life.
Fostering a Love for Learning
One of the most important roles of an early childhood educator is to foster a love for learning in their young students. This is achieved by creating a positive and nurturing learning environment that encourages exploration, creativity, and discovery. Here are some of the key ways that effective early childhood educators can foster a love for learning in their students:
- Creating a Positive Learning Environment: A positive learning environment is essential for fostering a love for learning. Early childhood educators can create a positive learning environment by providing a safe and nurturing space that encourages children to explore and learn. This can be achieved by creating a warm and welcoming classroom, using positive language and praise, and encouraging children to take risks and try new things.
- Encouraging Active Participation: Effective early childhood educators encourage active participation in the learning process. This can be achieved by providing opportunities for children to take an active role in their own learning, such as through hands-on activities, group projects, and open-ended questions. By encouraging active participation, children become more engaged and invested in their learning, which can help to foster a love for learning.
- Using Play-Based Learning: Play-based learning is a powerful tool for fostering a love for learning in young children. Through play, children can explore new ideas, experiment with different materials, and learn new skills. Effective early childhood educators use play-based learning to create engaging and meaningful learning experiences that encourage children to explore and discover new things.
- Providing Opportunities for Creativity: Creativity is a key component of a love for learning. Effective early childhood educators provide opportunities for children to express their creativity through art, music, drama, and other forms of expression. By providing opportunities for creativity, children can explore new ideas, develop their imagination, and express themselves in new and exciting ways.
- Building Relationships: Building relationships with children is an essential part of fostering a love for learning. Effective early childhood educators take the time to get to know each child as an individual, understanding their strengths, interests, and needs. By building strong relationships with children, early childhood educators can create a sense of trust and security that can help to foster a love for learning.
Overall, fostering a love for learning is an essential part of the role of an effective early childhood educator. By creating a positive learning environment, encouraging active participation, using play-based learning, providing opportunities for creativity, and building relationships with children, early childhood educators can help to foster a love for learning that will stay with children throughout their lives.
The Impact of Effective Early Childhood Education
- Enhanced Cognitive Development: Research has shown that children who receive high-quality early childhood education exhibit improved language skills, memory, and problem-solving abilities. This is due to the stimulating learning environment and opportunities for meaningful interactions with their peers and educators.
- Emotional and Social Growth: Effective early childhood education also fosters the development of emotional regulation, empathy, and social skills. By nurturing young minds in this way, children learn to better understand and navigate their own emotions and form positive relationships with others.
- Improved Academic Performance: Children who receive quality early childhood education tend to perform better academically in later years. They are more likely to enter kindergarten with strong foundational skills, such as literacy and numeracy, which sets them on a path for continued academic success.
- Reduced Risk of Developmental Delays: Early childhood educators play a crucial role in identifying and addressing developmental delays or disorders in young children. By providing early intervention and support, they can help minimize the impact of these delays on a child’s overall development and future success.
- Enhanced Life Chances: The benefits of effective early childhood education extend beyond the academic and social realms. Children who receive high-quality care and education are more likely to develop healthy habits, such as regular attendance and good hygiene, which contribute to their overall well-being and life chances.
The Importance of Qualities in Early Childhood Educators
The role of early childhood educators in shaping the future cannot be overstated. These professionals play a critical role in nurturing young minds and preparing children for success in school and in life. In order to be effective, early childhood educators must possess certain essential qualities.
Patience
One of the most important qualities of an effective early childhood educator is patience. Young children are still learning and developing, and they may not always understand what is being asked of them. A patient educator is able to take the time to explain things in a way that a child can understand, and they are able to remain calm and composed even when faced with challenging behavior.
Kindness
Another essential quality of an effective early childhood educator is kindness. Children are able to sense when an adult is being genuine and kind, and this can help to build trust and rapport between the child and the educator. A kind educator is also better able to connect with children on an emotional level, which can help to foster a positive learning environment.
Creativity
Early childhood educators must also be creative in order to engage young children and keep them interested in learning. This can involve using a variety of teaching techniques and approaches, as well as incorporating fun and interactive activities into the curriculum. A creative educator is also able to think outside the box and come up with new and innovative ways to teach important concepts.
Flexibility
Finally, an effective early childhood educator must be flexible and able to adapt to changing circumstances. Children are not all the same, and they may have different needs and abilities. A flexible educator is able to adjust their approach and lesson plans as needed in order to meet the needs of each individual child. This helps to ensure that all children are able to learn and grow in a supportive and inclusive environment.
A Call to Action for the Education Community
In order to effectively shape the future of society, it is crucial that we invest in the education and development of our youngest citizens. Early childhood educators play a vital role in this process, as they are responsible for nurturing the minds of children during a critical period of development. It is therefore essential that the education community recognizes the importance of these professionals and takes action to support them in their work.
Some specific steps that can be taken to support early childhood educators include:
- Providing adequate funding for early childhood education programs, to ensure that educators have the resources they need to provide high-quality care and education to young children.
- Offering professional development opportunities and ongoing training to help educators stay up-to-date on best practices and develop new skills.
- Encouraging a culture of collaboration and support within the early childhood education community, to help educators share ideas and learn from one another.
- Recognizing and valuing the important work of early childhood educators, through initiatives such as National Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day.
By taking these steps, we can ensure that early childhood educators have the support they need to provide the best possible care and education to young children. This, in turn, will help to shape a brighter future for society as a whole.
FAQs
1. What are the qualities of an effective early childhood educator?
An effective early childhood educator should have a number of key qualities, including patience, kindness, empathy, creativity, flexibility, good communication skills, a willingness to learn and grow, and a passion for working with young children.
2. Why are these qualities important for an early childhood educator?
These qualities are important because they help the educator to create a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment for young children. They also help the educator to build positive relationships with children, families, and colleagues, and to support the emotional, social, and cognitive development of young children.
3. How can someone become an effective early childhood educator?
To become an effective early childhood educator, it is important to have a strong foundation in child development and early education, as well as a willingness to learn and grow professionally. This can be achieved through formal education, professional development, and on-the-job training. It is also important to have a passion for working with young children and a commitment to their growth and development.
4. What are some common challenges faced by early childhood educators, and how can they overcome them?
Early childhood educators may face a variety of challenges, including managing behaviors, supporting children with special needs, balancing the needs of multiple children, and dealing with limited resources. To overcome these challenges, educators can seek out additional training and support, collaborate with colleagues and families, and prioritize self-care and stress management.
5. How can parents support the work of early childhood educators?
Parents can support the work of early childhood educators by being actively involved in their child’s learning, communicating regularly with the educator, and providing feedback and support. They can also advocate for high-quality early education and support policies that benefit young children and their families.