For this week’s blog, I was so taken aback by the issues related to excellence and equity in the early childhood field that I wanted to share with my colleagues what I have learned, in addition to the insights I gained about early childhood systems around the globe from Harvard University’s “Global Children’s Initiative” website (http://developingchild.harvard.edu/initiatives/global_initiative/).
In an article titled “Early childhood care and education: Worldwide challenges and progress,” many developing countries are now focusing their attention to “early” childhood education of children from birth to age four. Apparently, there is a huge debate on where the brink of education begins for a child. According to this article, it is believed that many “researchers claim that growth and development starts at birth or even during the prenatal period” (Teachers College, Columbia University, 2009). Regardless if this is true or not, learning during the early years is critical for any child in every country. It is even revealed that the quality of such programs must be beneficial for children. There are not only inequities in the early childhood field in America but also in countries such as Zambia.
After thoroughly exploring the Harvard University’s “Global Children’s Initiative” website, three insights I gained about early childhood systems around the globe are as followed:
- Out of all three of the domains that the Global Children’s Initiative has begun to build a portfolio of activities for, each of these domains is being guided by a designated faculty working group that will facilitate continuing cross-disciplinary collaboration.
- International discussions of child-related policies and practices often fail to make the vital connection between child survival, one of the developing world’s most pressing issues, and child development, an equally important prerequisite for productive and harmonious societies.
- The Global Children’s Initiative is the centerpiece of the Center on the Developing Child’s global child health and development agenda.
References:
Teachers College, Columbia University. (2009). Early childhood care and education: Worlwide challenges and progress. Current Issues in Comparative Education, 11, 1–44. Retrieved from http://www.tc.columbia.edu/cice/Issues/11.00/PDFs/11_Complete_Issue.pdf
Stacy,
ReplyDeleteIt is so important to realize the impact a mother has on their unborn child. The health of the mother and how they take care of themselves can have so many lasting affects on the baby. Education starts before the woman decides to have a baby. I think of how lucky most of us are in the United States to have good prenatal care compared to the rest of the world.
Alissa
Stacy,
ReplyDeleteIt is important that all mothers have the proper care when they are carrying a child. It is important that they can take care of themselves properly for the development of their child. Unfortunately, in inpoverished societies they do not have these resources. I think it's wonderful that there is a program for these children and mothers.
Thank you,
Stephanie
Stacy,
ReplyDeleteI feel that you have pointed out the very important fact that mothers have the greatest impact on the lives of their children from a very early age. The role of a mother in the development of her child is far larger than many realize. Mothers are the first teachers to their children as well; this is what makes the responsibility of motherhood so rewarding.
Thank you for sharing!