What age range does the Ontario Early Years Framework primarily focus on?

The Ontario Early Years Framework primarily focuses on the age range from birth to age 6 because this period is critical for early childhood development. During these formative years, children's experiences significantly shape their learning, growth, and cognitive development. The framework emphasizes the importance of nurturing and supportive environments that foster the overall development of children in this age group.

This focus on early childhood is reflective of research highlighting that most foundational skills, social behaviors, and emotional regulation develop during these first six years of life. By concentrating on this age range, the framework aims to provide educators and caregivers with guidelines and strategies to support young children's learning and development effectively.

The other age ranges provided do not align with the framework’s objectives, as they either include ages that extend beyond the critical early learning period or do not encompass the entire range of infancy and early childhood that is vital according to developmental psychology principles.