With this in mind, states have established early intervention programs to help young children become the best versions of themselves. In this write-up, we will discuss some of its details and see the types and examples of various early interventions available.

What is early intervention, and why is it important?

Early intervention encompasses a wide variety of support services offered to children from birth to age 3 to help them overcome their developmental delays and disabilities. It focuses on physical skills, cognitive skills, communication skills, various adaptive skills, and social and emotional skills. Early support in these areas allows struggling children to catch up with their peers and reach their full potential. It also prepares families to look after their children and provides them access to various supports required for their child.

Whenever a child is suspected to have a developmental delay, parents, pediatricians, or caregivers can refer them to their state’s early intervention department. Upon receiving an intimation, a service coordinator gets in touch with the family and helps through the entire process. A team of specialists then evaluates the child and determines if he or she is eligible for the program. Once established, support services are offered to the child and their families at home or through community programs.

Early intervention is usually offered by state governments, and each state has its own unique program. The good part is that all these programs are funded by the federal government, and therefore, families can avail of these support services free of charge or at a nominal cost.  

Types and examples of early interventions for supporting young children

1. Physical Therapy

Kids having trouble with gross motor skills like sitting, standing, crawling, or walking in their early years can benefit from physical therapy. A physical therapist works with the child to address challenges related to coordination, strength, or balance. Intervention in these areas helps a child strengthen their gross motor skills and achieve proper movement. It also supports children who need adaptable devices like walkers for ease of movement.

Examples include:

• Using obstacle courses and balance beams for building strength and coordination
• Exercises and activities to strengthen muscles
• Gait training for kids with walking difficulties

2. Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapists are professionals who work with kids to provide early intervention in the areas addressed by occupational therapy. It basically involves helping kids develop the necessary skills to perform their daily activities. Fine motor skills to grasp small items, cognitive skills to carry out tasks, and sensory processing are a few things that occupational therapy takes care of.

Examples include:

• Using finger painting and playing with small objects to enhance fine motor skills
• Playing with sensory bins, jumping on a trampoline, and swinging to help kids with sensory processing issues
• Teaching children to use utensils for feeding and dressing techniques to foster self-care

3. Speech Therapy

This type of early intervention is meant for kids with problems related to speech and language skills. Unclear speech, stuttering, voice problems, and feeding problems like trouble eating or swallowing are handled with speech therapy.

Speech-language pathologists help kids build skills pertaining to expressive and receptive communication through the use of tools like pictures, gestures, and specific digital devices meant for these purposes. By helping kids learn how to express themselves, these professionals encourage them to overcome speech-related obstacles effectively.

Examples include:

• Using picture cards to help build vocabulary and improve communication
• Playful tongue exercises and sound imitation games to teach a toddler with a speech delay
• Practicing smooth speech patterns and breathing techniques for stuttering

4. Hearing and Vision Services

Kids with hearing loss or vision problems are also entitled to receive early intervention. Audiologists perform tests to check for hearing loss, provide assistance in finding a suitable hearing device for the child, and teach lip-reading to support communication.

They help parents and caregivers understand the special needs of their children and equip them with relevant knowledge. Similarly, kids with vision issues can receive support in terms of assessment and equipment like glasses to enhance their vision.

Examples include:

• Providing a child with hearing aids for a hearing impairment
• Regular vision screenings and the provision of corrective lenses to enhance vision

5. Medical and Nursing Services

Medical services are also offered to children who are entitled to receive early intervention. Families and healthcare teams collaborate to determine which medical services (general and specialty) are necessary to achieve the best health outcomes for the child. Nurses, too, work closely with the entire team, offering their nursing services and providing input related to the child’s development and medical concerns.

Examples include:

• Conducting routine health assessments to track a child’s growth and development
• Offering specialized medical care when needed

6. Nutrition Services

Good nutrition is necessary for healthy development. Kids with developmental delays may have issues with feeding, and that is where nutrition services kick in. Nutritionists offering tailored services look into the nutritional needs of a child, their feeding preferences, skills, and habits to devise a plan that ensures the child meets daily caloric requirements and receives essential nutrients to support growth and development. They even guide parents on how they can ensure their child gets the nutrition they need.

Examples include:

• Creating personalized meal plans
• Offering guidance on proper nutrition and feeding techniques for a child with oral motor difficulties
• Conducting nutritional assessments and dietary counseling for kids with weight-related concerns

7. Family Training and Counseling

Supporting families is equally important as supporting a child with a delay or disability. It prepares them to better care for their child and create an environment that supports the child in overcoming their challenges. For this and more, counseling and training are provided to family members so they feel empowered and confident in raising and assisting their special needs child.

Examples include:

• Teaching parents strategies for managing challenging behaviors in children with developmental delays
• Providing support and counseling to families dealing with the emotional impact of their child’s diagnosis
• Offering workshops on parenting techniques for families in early intervention

8. Alternative Learning Methods

As young kids with challenges may not fare well with traditional approaches, therapists use alternative learning approaches like play-based therapy, music therapy, animal-assisted therapy, and other technology-based interventions to target a child’s developmental difficulties and support their growth.

Examples include:

• Utilizing storytelling and role-playing to enhance language development in children
• Incorporating music and movement activities to engage children with developmental delays

9. Psychological Services

These services are vital to helping a child receiving early intervention. A child’s struggles often affect their mental well-being and the way they behave and react in different situations. Through psychological services, psychologists evaluate the child’s behavior and mental health and decide on effective strategies to help the child. Psychological services are not limited to early intervention and are provided to the child in school if they need them through special education services.

Examples include:

• Providing cognitive-behavioral therapy to address anxiety or behavioral issues in children
• Offering parent-child interaction therapy to strengthen parent-child relationships

10. Assistive Technology

Children are also provided with assistive technology to help them gain independence in their daily activities. It is a great way to promote self-esteem and active participation in children facing different challenges. When an assistive device is included in the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP), the service coordinator makes sure the device is made available for the child at the earliest.

Examples include:

• Introducing a communication device with speech output for a non-verbal child
• Customizing computer software with adaptive features for a child with motor impairments
• Providing training on using assistive technology tools

Final word

The key to successful early intervention is in the word “early.” Although older children are eligible for a host of services to help them conquer their challenges, providing support at an early age brings out the best results. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a baby’s brain is most adaptable from birth to age 3.

As the child grows older, their adaptability reduces, making it harder for them to show improvements. Therefore, identifying developmental delays and disabilities earlier in their lives and providing necessary intervention can bring numerous short- and long-term benefits that have a positive impact throughout their lives.

Priyanka Sonkushre

I am Priyanka Sonkushre, a writer and blogger. I am the person behind “One Loving Mama,” a mom blog. Equipped with a Bachelor’s degree along with an MBA, my healthcare background helps me deeply understand learning difficulties. I know how challenging it can be for parents to find the right resources to help their children excel in life. So, here I am to blend my healthcare expertise with my parenting experience to create valuable and helpful resources for parents and teachers supporting children with learning differences. If you wish, you can follow me on Facebook and LinkedIn.

onelovingmama.com

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Through years of observation and study, Piaget discovered the magic of how children learn and grow, and how they use their experiences to construct their own understanding of the world. This groundbreaking work has had a profound impact on early childhood education, transforming the way we approach learning and helping to create a generation of curious, creative, and confident learners. So, continue reading as we delve into the life of this visionary, and discover the amazing contributions of Jean Piaget to the field of early childhood education.

Jean Piaget – Early life and career

Born in Switzerland in 1896, Jean Piaget was a visionary who looked at the world through the eyes of a child. He emphasized the importance of creating a learning environment in early childhood education. Furthermore, he saw the boundless potential for growth, creativity, and discovery, and dedicated his life to unlocking the mysteries of the mind.

He was an avid reader from a young age and showed a keen interest in natural history, particularly the study of mollusks and other organisms. He went on to study biology and psychology at the University of Neuchâtel, where he earned his Ph.D. in 1918.

After completing his education, Piaget went on to work at the Binet Institute in Paris, where he was involved in the development of intelligence tests for children. This experience sparked his interest in child development, leading him to undertake extensive studies of children’s thinking and learning. Over the course of several decades, he conducted extensive research and observation, including interviews and experimental studies, to develop his theory of cognitive development.

With a keen eye for observation and a passion for discovery, Piaget set out to unravel the secrets of how children learn and grow.  He believed that children are active participants in their own development, constructing their own knowledge and understanding through their experiences and interactions with the world.

This approach to learning, known as constructivism, has become a cornerstone of early childhood education and continues to inspire teachers and students alike to embrace the power of discovery and creativity. With his timeless insights and innovative ideas, Jean Piaget has left a lasting legacy that continues to shape and enrich the world of education.

Jean Piaget’s contribution to early childhood education

Jean Piaget’s theories have had a profound impact on early childhood education. He emphasized the importance of hands-on, experiential learning and the need to provide young children with opportunities to explore and discover the world around them. His ideas have influenced the way teachers interact with and understand young children, leading to a more child-centered approach to teaching.

1. Scaffolding

One of Piaget’s major contributions to early childhood education is the idea of scaffolding. Scaffolding refers to the support that adults provide to children during the learning process, gradually removing it as the child gains independence and mastery.

This concept has been applied to early childhood education and is seen as a way to support children’s cognitive development by providing them with just enough support to help them progress, but not so much that they become overly dependent. By scaffolding their learning, teachers can help children develop new skills and knowledge, and encourage them to think critically and creatively.

This idea of scaffolding is a key component of Piaget’s constructivist approach to learning, and it has influenced the way teachers interact with young children in the classroom, providing them with opportunities to explore, experiment, and engage in hands-on learning experiences that support their ongoing cognitive development.

2. Importance of Inquiry-Based Learning:

Piaget believed that children learn best through their own experiences and active exploration. This idea of inquiry-based learning has been adopted in early childhood education, where teachers encourage children to ask questions, explore, and make discoveries on their own. This approach supports children’s natural curiosity and helps them develop critical thinking skills and problem-solving abilities.

3. The Role of Adaptation

Piaget’s theory of cognitive development emphasizes the importance of adaptation or the process by which children adjust their understanding of the world based on their experiences. This concept has been applied to early childhood education, where teachers strive to create learning environments that support children’s ongoing adaptation and development. By providing children with opportunities to engage in hands-on, experiential learning, teachers can help children construct their own knowledge and understanding of the world.

Does research agree with Jean Piaget’s contribution to early childhood education?

Research has largely supported Jean Piaget’s theories and contributions to early childhood education. His stage theory of cognitive development, which outlines the progression of a child’s understanding of the world and their ability to think and reason, has been widely studied and validated by subsequent research.

Many of his ideas about the role of play and hands-on, experiential learning have also been supported by studies, that show the importance of active, engaging experiences for children’s cognitive and emotional development. In a study^[1] by Anton E. Lewson, it was argued that while there are some methodological problems with Piaget’s theory, his work has laid down a good foundation from which educators can move ahead toward important educational goals. 

However, it’s important to note that Piaget’s ideas have also been subject to criticism and revision over the years. For example, some researchers have challenged his theory that cognitive development occurs in a fixed, predetermined sequence of stages, arguing that development may be more fluid and dynamic. Nevertheless, Piaget’s work continues to be highly influential in the field of early childhood education, and his contributions have laid a foundation for further research and progress in the field.

Major contributions of Jean Piaget to the field of child psychology

1. Constructivist Theory of Learning: Piaget’s theory of cognitive development emphasizes that children actively construct their own knowledge through their experiences and interactions with the environment. This constructivist approach to learning is widely used in education and has influenced the design of educational programs and teaching methods.
2. Stages of Cognitive Development: Piaget’s four-stage theory of cognitive development provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the progression of children’s thinking abilities from birth to adulthood. This theory has been widely accepted and is widely used as a basis for understanding children’s cognitive development. This also further led to the research and advancement of types of cognitive abilities tests. 
3. Emphasis on Active Learning: Piaget believed that children learn best through active engagement in their environment. While active learning might have its own set of advantages and disadvantages, Jean Piaget’s idea about active learning has had a significant impact on early childhood education and has influenced the way teachers design activities and learning experiences for young children.
4. The Importance of Play: Piaget recognized the critical role of play in children’s cognitive development and saw play as a means for children to explore, experiment, and make sense of their world. This idea has shaped the design of play-based learning programs for young children.
5. Impact on Assessment Practices: Piaget’s theories have had a lasting impact on assessment practices, particularly in early childhood education. His ideas emphasize the importance of developmentally appropriate assessments that take into account children’s individual cognitive abilities and stages of development. This has influenced the design of assessment tools and the way teachers evaluate children’s learning progress.

Conclusion

In the realm of early childhood education, Jean Piaget stands tall as a beacon of brilliance and a master of child development. His theories and insights have been a guiding light for generations of educators, illuminating the pathways of learning and discovery for young minds. Piaget’s emphasis on hands-on, interactive experiences and the power of play has transformed the way we approach teaching and learning for children.

With his groundbreaking ideas, Piaget has opened the doors of imagination and given children the tools they need to explore the world and grow their minds. His legacy continues to inspire and shape the future of early childhood education, making him an enduring icon of innovation and excellence.

References

1. Lawson, A. E. (1985). A review of research on formal reasoning and science teaching. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 22(7), 569–617. https://doi.org/10.1002/tea.3660220702

Dr. Deepak K.

Dr. Deepak Kansal, MBBS MD (Psychiatry) is currently working as Nodal Officer of the District Mental Health program at Civil Hospital Sangrur for the last 3 years. Apart from psychiatry and substance use patients, Dr. Deepak also treats children with neurodevelopment disorders including Intellectual disability, specific learning disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and other psychiatric disorders. His research work involved studying psychiatric comorbidities in cancer patients. You can follow him on Linkedin

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Imaginative play,  specifically, is a type of play that allows children to use their imagination to create new scenarios, characters, and worlds. It is an essential form of play for children in early childhood as it helps to develop their creativity, imagination, and cognitive skills. Imaginative play can take many forms, from creating stories with dolls and action figures to building structures with blocks and other building materials.

Today, researchers continue to study the benefits of imaginative play and its role in child development. It is widely accepted as an important form of play for children and is integrated into early childhood education programs and curricula. So, the article below sheds light on imaginative play, its stages, and its importance in childhood. 

Imaginative play stages for kids in early childhood

Imaginative play is an important form of play for children in early childhood as it helps to develop their creativity and imagination. Imaginative play also allows children to explore different possibilities, ideas, and perspectives. During early childhood, children go through several stages of imaginative play development. These stages are:

1. The Symbolic Play Stage

Beginning around age 2 and lasting until age 4, At this stage, children begin to use objects symbolically, such as using a block as a telephone or a pillow as a guitar. They may also begin to use words and phrases in their play, such as saying “I’m the mommy” while playing with dolls.

2. The Pretend Play Stage

This stage typically begins around age 3 and lasts until age 6. At this stage, children begin to engage in more complex pretend play, such as acting out familiar situations and roles. They may also begin to use props and costumes in their play, such as dressing up as a doctor or a firefighter. Children at this stage also begin to understand the concept of make-believe and the difference between reality and fantasy.

3. The Dramatic Play Stage

Around age 4 children begin to create their own original stories and characters. They also begin to engage in more cooperative play, such as acting out a play with friends. Children at this stage, which lasts till 7, also begin to understand the importance of taking turns and following rules during play.

4. The Games with Rules Stage

This stage typically begins around age 5 and lasts until age 8. At this stage, children begin to understand and follow rules during play. They also begin to engage in games with rules such as board games, sports, and card games. Children at this stage also begin to understand and follow social conventions during play.

It is important to note that these stages are not set in stone and children may develop at different rates and may not go through all the stages. Also, children may move back and forth between stages, as well as revisit stages they have already passed.

It is also important to provide children with opportunities to engage in imaginative play, by providing them with a variety of materials and props that allow them to express themselves creatively. Parents and caregivers should also be mindful of providing children with a variety of experiences and opportunities that allow them to explore different roles and situations. Encouraging children to engage in imaginative play will help them develop their creativity and imagination, as well as their cognitive, social, emotional, and language skills.

Imaginative play benefits for kids

The benefits of imaginative play for children are numerous and include:

1. Cognitive development: Imaginative play helps children develop their problem-solving skills, memory, and concentration. It also helps them to understand and make sense of new concepts and ideas.

2. Language development: Helping children develop their language skills, imaginative play provides a boost to language development as they use words and phrases to describe their play and create stories. It also helps children to develop their vocabulary and to understand the meaning of new words. For this, a language milestone chart can also be used to keep track. 

3. Social and emotional development: Imaginative play helps children develop their social and emotional skills, as they learn to interact with others and to understand and express their own emotions. It also helps children to develop empathy and to understand the perspectives of others.

4. Creativity and imagination: Allowing children to explore different possibilities and to come up with new ideas and stories, Imaginative play is crucial for children’s creativity and imagination development.

5. Confidence and self-esteem: Imaginative play helps children develop their confidence and self-esteem, as they feel in control of their own creations and stories. It also allows children to explore different roles and to understand the importance of taking turns and following rules during play.

6. Physical development: Imaginative play also helps children with their physical development, as they use their bodies to act out different roles and scenarios. This can improve their gross motor skills, balance, and coordination.

7. Real-life skills: As children practice and prepare for real-life situations, such as going to the doctor or grocery shopping, imaginative play can be a great way to rehearse real-life scenarios that will also serve as an important activity in boosting situational awareness. It also helps children to understand and make sense of familiar concepts such as time, cause and effect, and social roles.

8. Emotional expression: Imaginative play also provides a way for children to express and explore different emotions, and to understand and cope with difficult emotions.

It is important to provide children with opportunities to engage in imaginative play, by providing them with a variety of opportunities for children to express themselves, explore their creativity and imagination, and develop their cognitive, social, emotional, and language skills.

Conclusion

Imaginative play is not only beneficial for children in early childhood, but also for children of all ages. It provides a variety of opportunities for children to express themselves, explore their creativity and imagination, and develop their cognitive, social, emotional, and language skills. Therefore, it’s essential to encourage and support imaginative play for children at all stages of development. By providing them with a variety of materials and props that allow them to express themselves creatively, parents and teachers can give a boost to the imaginative play of children. However, parents and caregivers should also be mindful of providing children with a variety of experiences and opportunities that allow them to explore different roles and situations.

Shweta Sharma

I am Shweta Sharma. I am a final year Masters student of Clinical Psychology and have been working closely in the field of psycho-education and child development. I have served in various organisations and NGOs with the purpose of helping children with disabilities learn and adapt better to both, academic and social challenges. I am keen on writing about learning difficulties, the science behind them and potential strategies to deal with them. My areas of expertise include putting forward the cognitive and behavioural aspects of disabilities for better awareness, as well as efficient intervention. Follow me on LinkedIn

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The importance of Early intervention can be understood by the fact that it positively impacts a kid because it teaches them how to respond appropriately, satisfies their curiosity, fosters an urge for exploration crucial for learning, and gives them power over their surroundings.

Early intervention can promote future excellent mental health and deter behavior like substance use and smoking by helping to develop the social and emotional skills necessary for learning and daily living.

Words of wisdom for early intervention

Implementing interventions can contribute to a child’s academic development and sense of self-worth. Additionally, interventions frequently take place in a comforting, secure setting, which can benefit students’ general well-being. Early intervention refers to identifying and offering children and young people who are at risk for depicting some difficulties or challenges in their daily work life. Here are some quotes concerning raising people’s awareness of the issue:

1.     “I’m a big believer in early intervention.”- Temple Grandin

You must first believe in something for it to be possible, and this is the secret to moving in the right direction.

2.     “A treatment method or an educational method that will work for one child may not work for another child. The one common denominator for all of the young children is that early intervention does work, and it seems to improve the prognosis.”- Temple Grandin

Although each child is unique in their talents and interests, early intervention for kids with learning impairments has repeatedly been shown to be successful.

3.     “Every child is gifted. They just unwrap their packages at different times.”- Anonymous

Every person is blessed with special skills and talents that manifest at different times and occasionally after early intervention.

4. “The goal of early childhood education should be to activate the child’s own natural desire to learn.”- Maria Montessori

Early childhood education will assist you and your kid in understanding and identifying any learning, reading, or writing challenges.

5. “Early intervention programs enrich adverse family environments. The largest effects of the early intervention programs are on noncognitive traits.” -Anonymous

Early intervention programs alter an individual’s behavioral features, which also benefits the kid’s family and other individuals who are close to the youngster.

6.“The good-news stories in medicine are early detection, early intervention.”- Thomas R. Susel

The good news for all children who have learning impairments is early identification. Additionally, it represents a significant improvement for the medical industry.

7.  “Early intervention with effective therapies is absolutely vital to prevent the profound disability that afflicts many stroke patients, and to lessen the emotional financial toll on caregivers and the health care system as a whole.”- Allison Brashear

In the end, prevention can help you avoid many dangerous scenarios that can develop as a result of your ignorance of the current problems.

8. “Greater public recognition will also be critical in encouraging prevention and early intervention, and more generally in building public support to meet the challenges of dementia.”- Anonymous

It’s time to educate people about the problem and its effects, but what’s more crucial is to inspire them to take action in order to improve their lot in life.

9. “A lot of early intervention is key.” Liana Simon

Without a doubt, early intervention may make a child’s life better and enable him to achieve his goals by removing any obstacles from it.

10. “When children are exposed to inclusion from an early age, they are more likely to approach children with disabilities with acceptance.”- Anonymous

Every child should experience inclusion because it may teach them to be kind and welcoming of kids with disabilities and provide a better environment for them to survive.

11. “Early intervention actually cares about not only the child but the family.”- Anonymous

Early intervention benefits both the kid and the family in which the child resides. As it promotes stronger familial relationships for the child.

12. “Effective early intervention is like building better fences at the top of the cliff, rather than parking ambulances at the bottom. The best early intervention is effective instruction.”- Prof. Pamela Snow

Early intervention is related to the idea that prevention is better than cure in the same manner that the phrase states. The finest approach for a child’s improvement might come through prompt examination and therapy.

13. “Powerful early intervention can change the path of a child’s journey to literacy.”- Fountas and Pinnell

Effective early intervention throughout the child’s developmental stage can fundamentally change the course of the child’s life, resulting in fewer challenges and a greater percentage of literacy.

14. “Early development is fundamental to the growth of your child.”– Anonymous

The development of the kid may be done better with all the precautions if learning or motor issues that he or she may be experiencing are kept in check while keeping in mind the child’s growth.

15. “If a child can’t learn the way we teach, maybe we should teach the way they learn” Ignacio Estrada.

Every child is different, and every teacher’s way should depend on their differences. If a child cannot understand a concept in a particular way, the teachers should try tweaking their approach and see the child bloom. 

Other motivational tools for early intervention

Early intervention fundamentally has to be more popularised among families and its significance needs to be greatly increased. The following are some more methods by which it may be motivated:

1. Participate in Inclusive Media

Books, TV shows, and movies all have a tendency to provide a limited picture of the world, frequently failing to adequately or not depict individuals with disabilities. Finding disability-inclusive media may be a terrific approach to integrating disability awareness into people of all ages’ daily lives and a way to find out a solution to it. 

Positive representations of people with disabilities help dispel negative stereotypes that they can’t do certain things or live their lives a certain way. Additionally, information about new inventions such as early intervention can be spread.

In order to change perceptions and societal norms and to challenge the idea that people with disabilities are defined by their disabilities, look for media that elevates the voices of people with disabilities.

2. Urging people to follow disabilities awareness organizations on social media

Follow groups and organizations that promote disabilities awareness on social media to stay up to speed on important news and events!

Additionally, this enables you to publish pertinent information on your personal social media pages in order to raise awareness among your followers and others.

3. Set a Good Example

In order for others to follow your lead when they are in the dark, whether it be in your friendship group, family, place of employment, or larger community, it is crucial to set a good example of behavior.

It’s important to speak out if you see something that discredits someone with a disability. Make sure to treat everyone with respect and sincere help, especially in public settings where others might imitate your behavior.

Instead of acting out of sympathy, work toward equality and significant change.

4. Disabled people Workplace awareness and inclusion

There are various ways that organizations may become more inclusive, and recent years have seen an increase in workplace programs and training.

Starting points for the discussion of inclusiveness in the workplace include encouraging chances for volunteerism, helping to organize fundraising activities, and holding training courses on workplace hurdles or unconscious prejudice.

Conclusion

When issues arise, effective early intervention aims to stop them from happening or to deal with them head-on before they worsen. Additionally, it aids in developing a variety of character traits and abilities that help kids prepare for adulthood. Early intervention can take many various shapes, including home visitation programs to assist weak parents, school-based initiatives to enhance children’s social and emotional development, and mentorship programs for young people. Hence, use the above-mentioned quotes to be inspired and also inspire the young ones to think about early intervention effectively.

Manpreet Singh

An engineer, Maths expert, Online Tutor and animal rights activist. In more than 5+ years of my online teaching experience, I closely worked with many students struggling with dyscalculia and dyslexia. With the years passing, I learned that not much effort being put into the awareness of this learning disorder. Students with dyscalculia often misunderstood for having  just a simple math fear. This is still an underresearched and understudied subject. I am also the founder of Smartynote -‘The notepad app for dyslexia’, 

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Moreover, early intervention in special education can alter the course of a child’s development and enhance health, language, cognitive, social, and emotional outcomes for those with special needs.

Rapid medical technological advancements have substantially improved high-risk births, increasing the number of newborns who may experience developmental delays and impairments. Therefore, in this article, we will understand the importance of early intervention and why it becomes crucial.  

Early intervention in special education: Reasons why it acts in favor of parents and the kids

Infant and toddler development can be worked upon, and early intervention can support children with impairments in realizing their full potential. While it’s ideal for addressing a developmental issue before a kid turns three, early intervention is still crucial over the following school years. The instructor and parents may have misread the youngster as having little interest in or motivation to study despite his learning problem.

Programs for early intervention might be preventative, curative, or remedial. We must justify our viewpoint to understand the significance of early action. 

Listed below are a few favorable factors for both parents and children

1. Family’s well-being

Early intervention programs significantly impact the parents and siblings of an outstanding newborn or young kid. Young families with outstanding children frequently experience disappointment, social isolation, additional stress, frustration, ongoing grief, worry, and powerlessness.

The additional strain brought on by raising a special needs kid may have a negative impact on the family’s health, which might impede the child’s development. Early intervention can help parents feel better about themselves and their children, have better knowledge of teaching their children, and have more time for fun and leisure activities. The development of communication affects subsequent academic achievement and lays the foundation for literacy. 

2. Improvement in independent functioning

Early intervention is also advantageous to society since it guarantees the child’s educational and developmental benefits, reducing the need for social institutions. Therefore, both economic and social advantages are provided by the family’s improved capacity to handle the presence of an extraordinary kid, as well as the child’s greater employability. 

3. Behavioral development

The development of a child’s behavior includes their capacity to control their actions, attention, and impulses. Children’s capacity to have healthy connections with others and academic success strongly correlates with their capacity for self-regulation. Early intervention often seeks to alter the antisocial behavior in the family, community, and even in the school, which over time aids in developing personality types.

4. Enabling the youngster to realize their full potential.

Parents are the child’s primary teachers. The skills and techniques will be taught to assist the kid in overcoming developmental obstacles and achieving their full potential through early intervention programs. This can assist a youngster in accelerating their pace of growth while gaining new abilities and behaviors without facing serious obstacles.

Children with delayed communication skills may become upset and engage in difficult behaviors to compensate for their shortcomings. When communication is delayed, it is difficult to convey needs and wishes; as a result, physical responses like biting or beating replace them. Supports and techniques will help your child’s communication needs during the intervention. 

5. Enhancement of normal environment

It creates a loving and supportive environment for the whole family. Children will benefit when parents and teachers work together to incorporate new developments into the child’s daily routines since they are more comfortable at home. Parents could feel more powerful by taking on a new responsibility to advance their child’s development. The infant will quickly exhibit wonderful growth due to the friendly surroundings.

Therefore, we live in a time when the idea of a kid has undergone fast change, and research on the typical course of child development has made significant progress. Hence, while some learning disabilities are modest and others may significantly influence a person’s academic performance, early intervention can minimize the symptoms in all areas. 

Possible downsides if early intervention is ignored

The key to a child’s growth is early intervention.

Understandably, it may be difficult for a parent to accept that their kid is displaying indicators of special needs. However, if these symptoms are disregarded and the child is not promptly recognized, the issues may worsen as they age. Therefore, parents must recognize and treat the problem from a young age.

More than a million new brain connections are made every second in the first few years of life. Connections are decreased through a process known as pruning after this period of high expansion, making brain circuits more effective. Early linguistic abilities and higher cognitive processes emerge second after developing sensory pathways such as those for fundamental vision and hearing.

According to a Brain Plasticity study^[1] by Bryan Kolb, a young child’s brain is thought to be more “plastic” because of this early period of rapid neurological development. It is simpler and more effective to influence a baby’s developing brain architecture than to rewire certain portions of its circuitry in later life. 

Early intervention is essential throughout a child’s formative years as it can lessen the consequences of young children at risk or diagnosed with developmental problems, increasing the likelihood that they will be independent as adults. In the first three years of life, a baby’s brain connections are the most malleable. It is more difficult to break these ties as time goes on. These connections form the brain circuits that support learning, behavior, and thought. 

What does the research point?

 For the sake of both the parent and the kid, taking action is necessary as soon as developmental concerns come to notice. Any delay can put the child’s growth at stake. The greatest person to judge the child is the parent itself.

There is a rise in the proportion of young children with developmental problems. There has been a commensurate rise in the number of early intervention centers to meet the learning and educational demands of young children with special educational needs.

A study^[2] by Chee Keong Chua talks about how early intervention deserves a lot of attention given the rising frequency and awareness of young children with special needs. Early intervention programs have the potential to alter a child’s course in development and enhance outcomes for kids, families, and communities.

Final words

Since learning and development occur at their accelerated rates throughout the preschool years, early intervention is crucial. The goal is for the kids to develop physically, cognitively, and emotionally. A successful outcome for them is more probable when families collaborate with educators and professionals.

Families will be assisted in adding support to routine activities they share with their children, thanks to early intervention. It offers a variety of learning opportunities for kids, including those during play and other activities like getting dressed, brushing their teeth, cooking, eating, bathing, assisting with household tasks, getting ready for bed, and many more. The family has a better grasp of their kid’s demands and how to break learning down into manageable chunks for their child through intervention.

Children enjoy learning in nearly any activity and want to learn more when they know what is expected of them and can succeed. Additionally, early intervention offers parents tools, encouragement, and knowledge to improve their child’s communication abilities. Parents may be sure they are promoting their child’s communication development when they collaborate with a professional who has training in early childhood. The child has to understand that he is a miracle and that no other child like him has ever existed before and will never exist again. 

References

1. Kolb, B., & Gibb, R. (2011). Brain Plasticity and Behaviour in the Developing Brain. Journal of the Canadian Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 20(4), 265-276. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3222570/
2. CHUA, Chee Keong; WONG, Chong Lee. EARLY INTERVENTION: ITS IMPORTANCE AND BENEFITS. European Journal of Special Education Research, [S.l.], may 2017. ISSN 25012428. Available at: <https://oapub.org/edu/index.php/ejse/article/view/738>. Date accessed: 17 nov. 2022. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.46827/ejse.v0i0.738.

Dr. Deepak K.

Dr. Deepak Kansal, MBBS MD (Psychiatry) is currently working as Nodal Officer of the District Mental Health program at Civil Hospital Sangrur for the last 3 years. Apart from psychiatry and substance use patients, Dr. Deepak also treats children with neurodevelopment disorders including Intellectual disability, specific learning disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and other psychiatric disorders. His research work involved studying psychiatric comorbidities in cancer patients. You can follow him on Linkedin

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