What is Early Learning?
It’s increasingly common for early childhood education centres to call themselves early learning centres.
And the term “early learning” has become a buzzword in Government press releases and Ministry of Education communications with our sector.
Although they’re often used interchangeably, early learning and early childhood education are not the same thing.
What is ‘early learning’?
Early learning can take place anywhere – such as in a carpark, in a bathroom, or at the supermarket.
It can be the result of watching TV or playing games on an electronic device. It can also happen through interaction with other children, adults, or animals (such as learning that a dog might bite if they hit the dog, or that a tantrum is what they should do to get their caregiver to give them what they want).
Early learning can occur as a result of emotional deprivation. An example of this is when an infant develops an insecure attachment with their caregiver.
Early learning encompasses any form of natural, unstructured learning that occurs spontaneously, and no teacher or educator is necessary.
Early learning is a state of learning before any form of competency is reached.
Is early learning really all we should aspire to or support in the early childhood sector? Should we view children as ‘early learners’ or as ‘competent learners’?
Why early learning is effortless for kids
Because no one has to teach them how to find trouble—it’s their natural talent! 😆
Why a child doesn’t need a teacher for early learning
Because they can master saying the “F” word and “doing up jacket buttons unevenly” all on their own! 😂
Because no one has to teach kids how to turn a couch into a trampoline—they just know! 
Because no one has to teach them that crayons taste weird—but they still tried! 
Funny, right?
But, jokes aside, quality education deserves serious thought.
In Te Whāriki, our early childhood curriculum, children are envisioned as competent and confident learners from birth. This means they are seen as active explorers and communicators, capable of forming their own ideas and contributing to society.
The ECE sector as part of the education system has focused on young children as “competent learners”, but now the political push is for the ECE sector to regard children as “early learners”.
We’d love to hear your view on this topic — add a comment or reply below.
READ MORE:
- Defining early childhood education
- The politics of early childhood education in which the author states: “The Ministry of Education is using the moniker “early learning” more and more in all its written and spoken communication about early childhood education. It’s adoption is believed by officials to have stemmed back to discussions within its ECE team about being inclusive of playgroups. Playgroups do not need to offer the national early childhood education curriculum (Te Whāriki) or be led by degree qualified teachers registered with the Teaching Council.”
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