So I was really excited that I would be communicating with a professional in England, but that has not come through. Although, watching the Opening Ceremony of the Olympics in London last night I was thrilled to see all the children that were incorporated into the event. Children truly are viewed as the future of the country and it is clear that they are valued.
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| What an amazing image to help us all remember that around the world, we are a group of people. No matter how different we may be, we are all human and all have the same needs. And we can come together an unite around one central purpose ... whether it be the Olympic Games or early childhood care and education |
Ok ... enough about the Olympics ... Since I have not heard back from my contact, I started this post out by reading Volume 11 of the online journal Current Issues in Comparative Education. The focus on this volume is the worldwide challenges and accomplishments in the field of early childhood care and education. Two articles focus on countries in Africa and two focus on Brazil. The second resource that I looked at was the Center on the Developing Child's Global Children's Initiative.
What I have come away with from these readings:
- While ECCE is a global need, the implications on different neighborhoods varies greatly! There is a common understanding that quality ECCE is the foundation for an individual's future life expectations, successes, and path in life. How this knowledge is used varies depending on where you live.
- In Zambia, there is an understanding of the need of ECCE and Primary education, but the government has not been able to provide quality or effective care in this poor nation. The author of this article recommends that the country not pursue ECCE until the nation develops a better system of education for children of basic and primary ages. (published 2009)
- In Brazil, their ECCE program seem to be doing well and reaching families and children because there is a partnership between family, community and coordinated efforts. There is a focus on reaching children where they are in their current context. While the information about ECCE is generated in other countries, they are taking the information and applying it to their culture and situation.
- How exciting to read that the Center on the Developing Child hosted a leadership training on early childhood development for 50 Brazilian politicians, policymakers, public managers, and civil-society leaders so that they can develop programs and initiatives to positively impact the children in their county! They are bridging the gap between what we know and what we do!
- This is all information that we need to take to heart in the US as ECCE is being held in front of our policy makers and is being put to the test in regards to funding. While defense may be able to keep their funds, the rest of the education and domestic program may loose their government funding because we do not have the voice in Congress that Brazil has in their government. Check out this great blog!
I could continue, but you have to stop somewhere.
