Getting to Know Your International Contacts—Part 3
I listened to Susan Lyon’s podcast. She is pursuing the Reggio Emilia Approach and started the Innovative Teacher project. Since she did not explain Reggio Emilia much, I visited the website of the Innovative Teacher Project to learn about it. The base concept of it is “educators [should] view education as a relationship among three protagonists: child, teacher and parent. Exchange and dialogue is valued between children, teachers and parents”. I agree that all the teachers should keep this in their mind for quality education for children.
One of the insights I gained from UNESCO’s “Early Childhood Care and Education” webpage is solving access inequity issue is not easily solved just by government’ providing supports for the most devastated children. Since those supports are limited to certain aged groups, areas or incomes, there are many children who are excluded from targeted groups even though they also need support.
Another insight I gained is that the world has started to value early education. The government of Gambia has a plan to create ECD Centers for 3-6 years old children in disadvantaged areas. The government’s goal is to increase the enrollment rate from 20% to 70% by 2015.
The third insight I gained is about early education in Singapore. Childcare and preschools are much more affordable and available there than in America. More than 99 percent of children have experienced preschool education. This is mainly because the government supports early education so that women can join the workforce. The Ministry of Community Development and Sports (MCDS) and the Ministry of Education (MOE). MCDS purviews childcare centers for children between 2 months and 6 years from 7 A.M. to 7 P.M. MOE purview preschools for 2- 5 hours. The fees are state-subsidized and further financial assistance is eligible for poor children from NGOs.
Sources
http://www.innovativeteacherproject.org/reggio/values.php
http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/themes/strengthening-education-systems/early-childhood/quality/
Hi Ayako, I went to the website you posted about innovative teaching. There is a interesting and so true poem about the "Hundred Languages" of a child embedded in the website.
ReplyDeleteSince I learned about the Reggio Emilia Approach I have been interested in learning more about it. I would love to visit a center which uses this approach. I do not personally believe that there is just one way for children to learn. In my preschool classroom, I have had the Montessori Directress help me incorporate some Montessori materials into the room. Parents may not be interested in the Montessori Method but for some children this is the best way for them to learn and expand their developmental abilities. So I am always looking for new ways to help the children learn and explore their environment.
ReplyDeleteAya these are three areas on the map that are in need of programs to focus on our young children. I copied you references to keep for future studies. I will use them for reflection in 2015. Many countreis are in need of a better way to educate children without the barriers and limitations. I believve and I know you do too, that all children have a right to learn. being a new professional to early education I look for information to help me become the best early childhood professional I can be. I thank you for your insight and experience as a professional.
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