Continuando o debate sobre cuidado e educação de crianças nos primeiros anos de vida

Abstract

The presumptions, arguments and consequences of diverse approaches on care and education for under three years old in daycare are analyzed in this paper. The positions of Tunes and Prestes against the education of those children in social institutions, based on ideas and concepts of Vigotski historical-cultural psychology are discussed. The conflicts involving maternity, women labor and early child education in the present social context are analyzed, considering various studies about the interactions of infants and toddlers with mother, with other adults and peers and discussing diverse understandings about Vigotski’s concepts. The possibility of sharing the care and education of young children between family and high quality Early Child Education Institutions is proposed, considering the developmental possibilities for the children and the role it can play in decreasing the educational, social, as well as racial and gender inequalities.