Alternative:
I explored the UNESCO’s “Early Childhood Care and Education”
webpage this week in order to obtain information about issues related to
international early childhood education. As I visited the site thoroughly, it
is clear that there is a need for early childhood care and education for all
children around the world.
The site explained the importance for children to obtain
education at an early age, particularly from birth to eight years old. This period
is crucial because it is the time of remarkable brain growth. These years lay
the foundation for subsequent learning and development. As professionals, we
must ensure that all young children develop their potential to the fullest. We
have to look more in depth into children’s holistic development by attending to
their health, nutrition, security, and development.
Learning begins at birth; we must guide our children in
order to provide them with direction so that they will be capable of performing
adequately and sufficiently in their life ahead. We must provide all children
with skills and techniques so that they are developing to become whole.
High quality childcare, particularly for children from
disadvantaged backgrounds, promotes motivation, confidence, good cognitive and
linguistic development and school readiness. Participating countries committed
themselves to “expanding and improving comprehensive early childhood care and
education, especially for the most vulnerable and disadvantaged children.”
Central governments must ensure an equitable distribution of resources among
different populations and especially those who live in the most disadvantaged
regions.
Active involvement from parents and communities, and
relevant play and learning materials ensure that early childhood services
remain relevant to the needs of the children and all other stakeholders and
increases sustainability. Parent and community engagement is vital while working with young children. We must all work together for the good of children in order to reach our goal to improve the quality of care for young children.
It has been known that a child’s brain human development is affected by related surroundings, affecting their personality and intelligence. These experiences can either be positive or negative, with long-term problems.
ReplyDeleteHigh-quality early childhood education programs for low-income children verify lasting positive effects, such as higher graduation rates, lower juvenile crimes, lower pregnancy rates and better school success. I agree many families struggle to provide a quality early experience for their children and they rely on these high quality programs to help their children.
Seeds must be planted in order to ensure that young children are getting their needs met. Along with education; we must make sure that we give children the tools that they need in order to cope, survive, to communicate, maneuver, etc. I agree, parents do rely on high quality programs to help their children. However, parents must not think that by bringing their children into the early care programs that it is the solution to all of the educational needs and problems. A lot of times children are suffering for this very reason. Parents must play their parts before their child enters into a educational setting.
DeleteSha-Kevia,
ReplyDeleteIn the work you do with families you get to see first hand how home environment plays a large role in children's motivation in school. If there is a lot of stress and problems in the home it is very difficult for children to concentrate on school. They are concerned about their parents. Even if they are too young to understand issues like financial or marriage problems, they still know that their parents are upset and this makes them upset. I cannot imagine in these developing countries how difficult it must be to get parents involved in early childhood education when they are worried about food and shelter. You are correct that governments must get involved to help these families with resources so that children can get the education they need. Thanks
Mary Jo
I always refer to the saying "it takes a village to raise a child." This means more to me than referring to only family. Children spend a great time in school as well; therefore, we must equally play a role to ensure that we are fighting the battle together on behalf of young children. Your examples of stressors in the home is a great illustration for reasons why a child may struggle in school. The problems children experience at home may affect their school performance in some way, this is why it's important to view children holistically in order to reach that child on more levels than one.
DeleteI like your statement,"High quality childcare, particularly for children from disadvantaged backgrounds, promotes motivation, confidence, good cognitive and linguistic development and school readiness." It sums up what we have been discussing during this class and the need for help in the area of early education. We must begin as early on as possible if we want things to get better for the next generation.
ReplyDelete