An introduction that explains the importance of early childhood education and intervention for supporting school readiness.

Early childhood education, or ECE, refers to the education of young learners (birth to third grade). Early childhood interventions are services that help to enhance the development of children with developmental delays or disabilities. Both are important when it comes to supporting school readiness. According to research, ECE “provides a strong foundation for later academic, social, and emotional growth” (American Public University, n.d.). For instance, when children engage in various types of play, they can have access to hands-on activities. “Hands-on activities involve sensory play, art projects, science experiments, and construction using building blocks, which encourage exploration, creativity, and an understanding of basic scientific concepts” (American Public University, n.d.). Another type of play is storytelling, which children can develop both imaginative and listening skills (American Public University, n.d.). Conversely, for early childhood interventions, “Services are tailored to each child's unique needs and encompass various disciplines, including Physical Therapy, Speech-Language Pathology, Occupational Therapy, Nursing, Social Work, Behavioral Specialists, Nutritional Specialists, and Developmental Therapy Specialists” (Utah State University, n.d.). That said, it is normal for a child to have more than one early childhood intervention service. Moreover, a key statistic to keep in mind is that “1 in 3 infants and toddlers who received Early Intervention services did not later present with a disability or require special education” (Utah State University, n.d.). It is best to involve early childhood interventions as soon as possible if developmental delays or disabilities are detected to prevent additional issues.