INTRODUCTION Early childhood education(ECE) is a branch ofeducation theorywhich relates to the teaching of youngchildren(formally and informally) up until the age of about eight. Infant/toddler education, a subset of early childhood education, denotes the educationofchildrenfrom birth to age two. The significance at this level lies in the importance early experiences in the development of a childs social, physical, mental and emotional capacities, and in the role that early childhood education can play in preparing children to adapt to the formal learning atmosphere of the basic school.In this assignment we are not only going to talk about the definition of early childhood education but also the philosophy and how it began.

According to Jean Piagets prominent work is his theory on the four stages ofcognitive development.He was one of the most influential researchers in the area of developmental psychology in the 20th century whose primary interest was in biological influences on how we come to know, and the developmental stages we move through as we acquire this ability (Singer & Revenson, 1997, p. 13).Piaget (1973) believed that the child plays an active role in the growth of intelligence and learns by doing. He regarded the child as a philosopher who perceives the world only as he has experienced it. Therefore, most of Piagets inspiration in cognitive and intellectualdevelopmentcame from observations of children. In fact, Piaget observed and studied his own three children through each stage of their cognitive development.The theory of cognitive development focuses on mental processes such as perceiving, remembering, believing, and reasoning. Reasoning is the essence of intelligence, and reasoning is what Piaget studied in order to discover how we come to know (Singer & Revenson, 1997, p. 13). Piaget believed that cognitive development is cumulative; that is, understanding a new experience grows out of a previous learning experience.Less known is Vygotsky's research onplay, or children's games, as a psychological phenomenon and its role in the child's development. Through play the child develops abstract meaning separate from the objects in the world, which is a critical feature in the development of higher mental functions. Vygotsky gives the famous example of a child As children get older, their reliance on pivots such as sticks, dolls and other toys diminishes. They haveinternalizedthese pivots as imagination and abstract concepts through which they can understand the world. "The old adage that 'childrens play is imagination in action' can be reversed: we can say that imagination in adolescents and schoolchildren is play without action.Vygotsky also referred to the development of social rules that form, for example, when children play house and adopt the roles of different family members. Vygotsky cites an example of two sisters playing being sisters. The rules of behavior between them that go unnoticed in daily life are consciously acquired through play. As well as social rules, the child acquires what we now refer to asself-regulation. For example, when a child stands at the starting line of a running race, she may well desire to run immediately so as to reach the finish line first, but her knowledge of the social rules surrounding the game and her desire to enjoy the game enable her to regulate her initial impulse and wait for the start signal.FACTORS INFLUENCING EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATIONThe concept of ECD centers is still relatively new in Zambia and as such limited importance is given to sending children to the ECD centers in their early years of life. There is insufficient human resources and capacity to effectively coordinate early childhood programs. The national ECD curriculum frameworks and policies are in a draft form. ECD is not yet seen as a priority by many cooperating partners and therefore attracts limited resources. As ECD as a program me does not belong to any one specific ministry, it is a challenge to coordinate with relevant line ministries.RISKSOnly a small number of Zambians are able to profit from education at this level. This is because there are few pre schools. In addition, most of the pre-schools are found in urban areas where the population is large enough to ensure their viability. There is also general lack of infrastructure, curriculum, and materials for a holistic ECD initiative. Lack of early childhood trained teachers is another risk to early childhood education in Zambia. Lack of classrooms is another contributing factor.

POLICYThe ministry of education acknowledges the important role of early childhood education in the multi-dimensional development of young children. Within the constraints of available resources the ministry will encourage and facilitate the establishment of pre-school programs that would reach out to all children, especially to those living in rural and poor urban areas. The provision and funding of early childhood and pre-school education will be the responsibility of councils, local communities, on-governmental organizations, private individuals and families. The ministry of education will encourage the establishment of programs that support all-round early childhood development; particularly those programs intended for children living in rural and poor urban areas.

ROLES OF AN EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHEREarly childhood teachers support learning by providing activities and materials that children find engaging. By facilitating learning, supplying a developmentally appropriate environment, interesting materials, and adequate time to explore, play, and interact, children find learning easy and fun!

To nurture is to nourish. Nurturing a child encompasses all aspects of development: social, emotional, cognitive, and physical. In every interaction, a teacher should nurture appropriate growth and development.

Teachers must also take care to listen to a childincluding interpreting words and actions. Listening carefully helps teachers determine a child's needs and aids in furthering the child's development.

Teachers communicate with many peoplethroughout the day: parents, children, support staff, the general public, and administrators. Early childhood teachers must be prepared to communicate with all of these people. You should feel comfortable opening up, asking questions, seeking advice, and sharing your experiences.

Paperwork, lesson planning, preparing materials and the environment, and negotiating require teachers to have strong management skills. Managing a classroom requires organizational skills, attention to detail, and commitment. There are many balls in the air and it is your job is to keep them up and moving!

CONCLUSIONEarly childhood education development refers to both non-formal and formal service provision, which prepares children for entry into primary school education.lt, is considered a developmental support for children aged 0 to 6 years. Therefore early child hood education develops the child emotionally, psychologically, mentally and socially. Parents can also be seen as a Childs first teacher and therefore an integral part of early learning process.

REFFERENCEMinistry of Education (1996) Educating our Future ZERP, Lusaka. Zambia. Singer, D.C & Revenson, T.A (1997) A Paget Primer; How a Child thinks (Revised Edition) Madison, Connecticut: International Universities Press Inc.Vygotskys Levy (1976) Interaction between Learning and Development Cambridge, Harvard University Press.Carolyn Pope Edwards (1986) Promoting Social and moral Development in young Children; Creative Approaches for the classroom Teachers College Press.Carolyn Pope Edwards (2010) Relationships in early learning International encyclopedia Of education. England: Elsevier.

TABLE OF CONTENTSACKNOWLEDGEMENTSINTRODUCTION .1PHYLOSOPHY OF EARLY CHILDHOOD....1FACTORS INFLUENCING EARLY CHILDHOOD IN ZAMBIA.....2RISK INDICATORS TO EARLY CHILDHOOD IN ZAMBIA..2NATIONAL POLICY....2ROLES OF AN EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHER........................................3CONCLUSION..3

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTFirst and foremost l would like to thank the Almighty God for giving me strength ,wisdom and understanding throughout this assignment appreciate my friend Lorraine Sayifwanda for helping me with books such as Child Development and Educating our Future. Special thanks goes to my caring and beloved husband for the encouragements and support throughout the research, not forgetting my lovely son Joshua for allowing me do this work without any disturbances.