E.C.I system

The foundations of early childhood intervention

Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) is a coordinated system of supports for young children with developmental delays or disabilities and their families. Effective intervention therefore emphasizes everyday routines, meaningful interactions and family empowerment — rather than isolated services — and requires coordinated systems supported by integrated policies and cross-sector collaboration.

The definition of ECI that best reflects Eurlyaid approach is:

ECI refers to the different types of parenting supports . . .

provided by early childhood practitioners and other social network members, that provide parents the time, energy, knowledge and skills, to engage their children in everyday child learning opportunities, that promote and enhance both child and parent confidence and competence.

— Dunst, 2000, 2007a, 2017; Dunst & Espe-Sherwindt, 2017