What age range does early childhood development cover?

Early childhood development encompasses a broad range of growth and learning that occurs from birth through the age of five. This time frame is critical for cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development. During these years, children experience rapid brain development that lays the foundation for future learning and behavior.

Focusing on this age range, it is recognized that various developmental milestones occur, such as language acquisition, motor skills improvement, and the emergence of social interactions. This stage sets the groundwork for later academic performance and social skills, making understanding this period essential for educators and caregivers.

While some options provide narrower age windows, such as birth to two years or two to six years, these do not encompass the complete spectrum of early childhood development, which extends to five years. Therefore, the selected range of birth to five years accurately reflects the full scope of early childhood development.