Preschool, a Healthy Setting

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Creating a Supportive Environment in the Preschool to Improve Wellbeing of Children and Parents Pre School, a Healthy Setting H.G.S.P. Kumari, H. P. Reyal*, R.M.G.T.K. Rathnayake, V.C. Rupasinghe, and G.N.D. Guruge Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Mihintale. Key terms: Early Childhood Care and Development, Pre School, Healthy Setting parween11@yahoo.com Department of Biological Sciences Faculty of Applied Sciences Rajarata University of Sri Lanka Mihintale 0776346515 0252266131 INTRODUCTION Background and justification Early childhood care and development (ECCD) refers to optimizing a child's survival, growth and development by providing the total needs from the time of conception to until the age of five years. This period has been identified as a significant phase of life, because of the rapid brain development occurs during this stage and its abilities to strongly determine the future of a human (Stewart, 2001). The Pre School (PS) age span is also included in the early childhood period and children attending to some type of program such as PS will receive an excellent opportunity to encourage development (Mandleco, 2004). Research shows that parent and family engagement in early care and education programs improves results for children, increasing the likelihood of success and achievement and decreasing the likelihood of negative outcomes, both in school and later life (Kagan & Neuman, 2001). For instance studies have shown, with the involvement of parents, alcohol and tobacco prevention programs for young children merit with greater emphasis (Hahn, et al. 2009). As an early childhood care programme, in the Sri Lankan context PS serve as a setting where children and parents engage in
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