ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the evidence of research into the development of young children and includes comment on recent strategies used in early education programmes. It acknowledges the dedicated work of many teachers in nursery classes throughout the country and applauds the dynamic activism of the Pre-school Playgroups Association (PPA), which, together with other voluntary bodies, is providing a necessary service for many children at the present time. The chapter discusses that the intervention and stimulus provided by parents continues to be vital through the pre-operational, concrete operations and formal operations stages of a child's development. It is concerned with the development of children aged up to five years and it follows that most attention will be paid in this discussion to children who have reached the pre-conceptual level since it is this group who may be receiving forms of early education.
