About SECD

The Science of Early Child Development is a resource of global concern. Beginning as a partnership between Red River College and the Atkinson Centre and the Institute of Child Study at the University of Toronto, the Science of ECD has developed into a multi-edition resource that has been adapted for use for different contexts around the world.

With a focus on the developmental health perspective, the Science of Early Child Development provides an overview of relevant topics, current research and practical links to practice in five modules:

• Brain development includes the most recent research into the developing brain.  Concepts such as biological embedding and epigenetics help to demonstrate how genes and early environments together shape development and follow children throughout their lives. 
• Coping and Competence explores key concepts such as self-regulation and why some children display resiliency and thrive in challenging environments while many do not.  Crying, temperament, fear, stress, and aggression are all studied within a focus of caring relationships.
• Communicating and Learning features an exploration of how children think and learn including exciting new understanding of infant memory. Language and literacy, and mathematical understanding are some of the key topics as research is used to outline the best practices and environments to support children’s learning.
• The Ecology of Childhood looks at the contexts of early child experiences including home life, early childhood programs, communities, and government policy.  The positive effects of early interventions are provided as guides for optimizing the environments of young children.
  
• Developmental Health provides a clear overview of how and why the early years have such a long-term impact on both individuals and societies.  Social gradients are explored with insight into how different communities respond differently to the needs of the early years with marked differences.
  
 

"The program has supported our integrative approach to brain development. Rather than having one specific course connected with the resource, we have embedded the science of ECD throughout the two year program. It is present in courses dealing with child development, curriculum, and issues in quality, strengthening, reinforcing and weaving essential concepts throughout the whole program. While there are many positive elements of the program, one that we have appreciated is the opportunity for faculty and staff to engage with content through various levels of complexity, from introductory to advanced".

– Goranka Vukelich, Chair, Child Development and Education Studies, Conestoga College

"At Sault College, we use particular components of the Science of ECD modules in various courses, for example, in our Child Development, Teaching Methods, Infant Toddler Care and Education, and, Quality Assurance in ECE Settings courses. This resource contains materials that are interactive and engaging, with the use of video and audio clips, up-to-date articles, reflective questions and games to solidify students’ learning. It lends itself to the variety of learning styles that we encounter in the college classroom. Students appreciate purchasing one resource that is used in more than one course and is easily accessible in their preparation for assignments or to research a particular topic of interest.”.

- Andrea Welz, Early Childhood Education Program, Sault College