Part 3 Introduction

From ages 2 to 6 years, young children spend most of their waking hours discovering, creating, laughing, and imagining, as they acquire the skills they need. They chase each other and attempt new challenges (developing their bodies); they play with sounds, words, and ideas (developing their minds); and they invent games and dramatize fantasies (learning social skills and morals)—all under the guidance of their families and communities.

These years have been called the preschool years, but that has become a misnomer. Although still called preschoolers, many 2- to 6-year-olds are in school, learning and playing. Indeed, they learn while playing—imagination and fantasy make these years prime time for new ideas, language advances, and informal education. Consequently, this period is best called early childhood, a joyful time not only for young children, but also for anyone who joins them.