At the “Early Childhood Summit” organized by the IZU Childlike Life Club, the decisive effects of early childhood on an individual’s academic, social, and cognitive development were discussed.
At the “Early Childhood Summit” held at Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University, the role of the early years of childhood in development, educational processes, and the influence of teachers were evaluated from different perspectives. Presentations covering topics ranging from family-child relationships to literacy skills, from the importance of the first 1000 days to screen exposure, drew attention to the multifaceted nature of early childhood. Academics and students attended the program organized by the IZU Childlike Life Club.
THE FOUNDATIONS OF DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION IN EARLY CHILDHOOD
IZU faculty member Dr. Cansu Köken emphasized in her opening speech that early childhood is a critical stage shaping the rest of life and stated that this process should be addressed with a holistic approach. The first speaker of the summit, Dean of Boğaziçi University Faculty of Education Prof. Dr. Dilek Altun, in her presentation titled “Early Childhood in Terms of the Development of Literacy Skills,” stated that literacy skills acquired in early childhood affect not only academic success but also social relationships and self-confidence. Pediatrician and Social Pediatrician Associate Prof. Dr. Necla İpar stated that one of the most critical thresholds in human life is the first 1000 days, emphasizing that this period directly shapes physical and cognitive development.
DIGITAL EFFECTS, READING CULTURE, AND A HOLISTIC APPROACH
Psychologist and kindergarten founder Cihan Çelik addressed the effects of screen exposure in early childhood on attention, language, and social development, drawing attention to the importance of parental guidance during this process. At the summit, Marmara University Department of Information and Records Management faculty member Prof. Dr. Asiye Kakırman Yıldız, who delivered a presentation titled “The Triple Component in Early Childhood: Books, Libraries, and a Sustainable Reading Culture,” discussed the role of early relationships with books and libraries in the formation of sustainable reading habits. Beşiktaş Guidance and Research Center Director and Home School Association Founder Mehmet Hilmi Eren emphasized that families, schools, and the environment should act together during children’s first six years, while Occupational Therapist Esra Taşkın Güney highlighted the importance of recognizing developmental warning signs that may be observed in early childhood in a timely manner for proper intervention.