How Quality ECE Programs Can Support Early Childhood Development in the First Five Years

The first five years of life are critically formative for long-term success.
Early childhood education can create positive, impactful experiences across early developmental milestones.
The long-term impact of ECE goes beyond kindergarten readiness and into adulthood.

Research shows that the first five years of a child’s life are an essential time to build the foundation for long-term well-being, as 90 percent of the brain is developed by the age of five. Early childhood education educators understand that this period offers a powerful opportunity to maximize physical, social, and cognitive development while the brain is at its most adaptable. It’s also a critical time to help minimize and mitigate the impact of adverse experiences, which can have lasting effects into adulthood.

High-quality ECE programs support the whole child at every stage of development, helping them reach key milestones before entering K–12 education. Research shows that children who are “kindergarten ready” have an 82 percent chance of mastering basic skills by age 11, while those who lack access to quality ECE are 60 percent less likely to attend college. The first five years of life establish the foundation for long-term success. Educators know it’s crucial to reflect on how our work at each stage meaningfully supports a child’s health, well-being, and future potential, and to continuously refine our skills and mindsets to implement these practices effectively.

Birth to 1 Year (Infant)

When children are young, it may seem as if they don’t require intentional educational services. At this stage, families are probably most concerned with simply keeping the baby happy and healthy, but we know cognitive development begins from day one. With the brain rapidly developing in the early years, healthy development is just as important at this infant stage. It’s also a significant period to lay the foundation for advanced fine motor skills for movement (i.e., rolling over, crawling, standing) and developing coordination.

ECE programs provide a safe environment for infants to explore different sensory-stimulating objects and expand upon the new experiences they have every day. ECE professionals are not only educating our young learners, but also have the opportunity to provide families with different methods and activities they can implement to create an enriching learning environment at home.

ECE activities that can benefit infants from a developmental perspective include messy play, taking a walk to experience new sights, and educators simply talking and reading to them to support linguistic development. Infants enrolled in ECE also gain additional role models to mimic healthy behaviors as they transition into the toddler phase.

1 to 3 Years (Toddler)

During the toddler stage, the developmental windows widen for physical and cognitive milestones, but the speed of development continues, and the level of understanding grows. Toddlers are constantly learning through exploration and imitation and become more independent in their experiences.

While some families may be hesitant to place toddlers in a group setting, we know the immense value of peer interaction during this period. In ECE environments, toddlers learn to share, express and regulate emotions, and resolve conflict—all foundational skills for future success.

Our job is to help toddlers reach these milestones by incorporating and prioritizing active play and play-based learning. Providing hands-on activities develops the critical thinking, communication, and collaboration skills toddlers need (inside and outside of the classroom) to shape how the brain is forming rapid neural connections.

Toddlers will learn about healthy relationships through their interactions with their peers, and the role of ECE educators in this stage is critical as they serve as a model of positive social-emotional behaviors. Educators also support families by explaining the importance of modeling these positive behaviors at home.

3 to 5 Years (Preschool)

The progression of physical and cognitive development by the time children reach preschool age shows the amazing degree of brain development in just a few years. At this milestone, children’s physical movement is much more advanced, and they begin to understand more complex ideas. As educators, we work a little harder to keep up with them. They have so much to say!

Much of what preschoolers have to say include questions. The most popular being – and sometimes difficult to answer – “why?” They are beginning to observe and analyze the world, seeking answers to how things work.

During this stage, ECE spaces provide children with access to more advanced learning experiences to further drive this natural curiosity. Programs incorporate experiences such as a trip to the zoo, conducting a simple science experiment, or planting seeds in the garden to watch a plant grow throughout the school year. By age five, the brain is developing executive functions that will stick with the child for years to come. ECE provides the lessons, tools, and experiences children will need to succeed as they transition into grade school and beyond.

Long-term Impact

The intentional learning and development that ECE provides in the first five years go well beyond kindergarten. Research has shown that children who participated in quality ECE programs outperform their peers at age 15 in literacy and numeracy skills, and it has also been found that early education can reduce the likelihood that a child repeats a grade by 15 percent.

Receiving early childhood education makes children more likely to pursue higher education, secure higher paying jobs, and be less likely to rely on social welfare programs. The benefits stretch beyond kindergarten and beyond the individual, as these children are likely to grow into productive and contributing members of society, starting businesses and creating opportunities for others.

The first five years build a solid foundation for the long-term outcome of a child’s life. ECE programs ensure that during that critical period exercise the full range of potential in the physical, cognitive, and social-emotional skills children and families need to succeed in school and life. ECE professionals hold a precious and important task to make the first five years as nurturing, positive, and healthy as possible for our children to become smart, kind, and successful adults.