Alexia Barrable

1 Introduction Education is key to realising the potential of an individual, but is often viewed simply as the transmission of knowledge. In a world defined by accelerating change—climate disruption, biodiversity decline, pandemics, and geopolitical uncertainty (Lawrence et al. 2024; Rakowski et al. 2025)—education must provide reliable foundations of established knowledge and cultivate the capacities that learners need to question, adapt, and imagine (Nussbaum 2016).

1. Introduction Early childhood is a critical period of development and growth and a unique opportunity to positively influence the developmental trajectory of children. The years between birth and the start of primary education (ranging from 5 to 7 years of age in different countries) represent a window for improving life chances and ensuring all children reach their developmental potential.

1. Introduction Early childhood is a critical period of development and growth and a unique opportunity to positively influence the developmental trajectory of children. The years between birth and the start of primary education (ranging from 5 to 7 years of age in different countries) represent a window for improving life chances and ensuring all children reach their developmental potential.