Νηπιακή εκπαίδευση ή φροντίδα: ένα παιδαγωγικό δίλημμα

Περίληψη

This article examines the extent to which children under the age of four need education or care. This issue has recently been the focus of heated debate in both Greece and Cyprus. The purpose of the article is to present recent psychological and sociological evidence which underscores the necessity for high-quality early childhood education, it is argued that preschool children take advantage and profit from learning opportunities to the same extent as older children. For many of them, a rich educational environment can compensate for a lack of learning stimuli in the home. The article focuses on three areas that also represent the main goals of early childhood education: (a) the support of the development that lakes place, (b) the increase in school readiness, and (c) the prevention of future failure. The contribution of early childhood education in those three areas is necessary, critical, and significant. Finally, it is also argued that the extent of this contribution depends directly on the quality of the education provided.