Written by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examโขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Definition
Early childhood refers to the developmental stage of life from birth to around age 6. During this time, significant growth and learning occur, laying the foundation for future cognitive, emotional, and social development.