3.2 Strengthening early child development programs
Consider…
Early childhood education options
Carlana lives in downtown Halifax and is five-years-old. She goes to Primary (Kindergarten) in the local public school every morning… Read more
Children do not come to an early childhood setting merely to do their “learning”. They “live” in these settings for many hours each week. Just as they discover at home how the toilet flushes, how round things roll and square things stay put, or how soothing it is to hear dad’s voice sing them to sleep, each hour in an early childhood setting is filled with new information and experiences.
Early childhood education programs can work hand-in-hand with families, creating a community of and for families with young children. In such programs, early childhood educators act as a ready resource to answer the many questions parents have, to model effective practices, and link parents to other community resources if required.
Do you think early childhood education programs can be called the “new extended family”. Why?
Ask preschool children what they like best about their early childhood program. What do they mention most often?
The Shirley G. Moore Laboratory School at the University of Minnesota is sponsored by the Institute of Child Development. It demonstrates exemplary early childhood education practices, prepares educators, and is involved in research and child study. Sheila Williams-Ridge is the director of the Lab School. Watch the next video to learn more about how this lab school creates a welcoming, calming and non-institutional environment for children and families.
Early childhood education programs vary. What is available depends on the make-up of the community, the goals of the program, the partners working to offer the program (parents, community, government and non-governmental partners) and cost.
The next video highlights a program that focuses on helping children “walk two cultures”. Beatriz Alvarez, a registered early childhood educator at the Tumiralaat Centre in Ottawa, is also the Inuit liaison with the Indigenous Centre of Excellence for Early Years and Child Care. The Tumiralaat Centre, a licensed full day, year-round child care centre for Inuit children ages 18 months to 6 years, focuses on children’s early learning based on Inuit values. Learn more about this unique program, and how staff adapt and incorporate activities to support Inuit culture.
Watch the video below to learn more about the seamless day approach for four and five-year-old children in Ontario and then read about family friendly schools.
Funds of Knowledge was introduced earlier in this module. Integrating Funds of Knowledge into curriculum and pedagogical practices, takes advantage of children’s strengths and fosters more meaningful engagement and overall success. Children begin to see themselves in relevant ways and in turn, this enriches learning opportunities and promotes intrinsic motivation. Read different ways to use Funds of Knowledge in your practice, below.
Early childhood workforce
Adults in the early childhood education programs care for and educate each child. They build responsive relationships, respectful of the child’s growing competence. Early childhood educators ensure children’s needs for food, physical safety, sleep, and toileting are met as they develop settings that encourage play among the children.
Dr. David Butler-Jones, former Chief Public Health Officer of Canada, discusses the importance of these relationships.
Reflective and well-informed early childhood educators do not assume there is one best practice which suits all, but are able to recognize, explore, and discuss the arc of human possibilities (Penn, 1999, p. 4).
The late Dr. Clyde Hertzman comments on the value of skilled early childhood educators in children’s lives. He points out the need to understand young children’s social development and how to adapt the environment to support their emerging abilities.
Opportunities to explore can include opportunities to organize, plan and solve problems in an environment that is set up with things to discover. Exploration helps young children learn to tolerate frustrations and wait to have their needs met or goals attained.
Watch the following clip. Dr. Ray Peters, professor emeritus of Psychology at Queen’s University, explains what is important for early childhood educators to know.
A competent early childhood workforce is essential for effective early childhood and family programs. Early childhood education is becoming a defined professional occupation in Canada. Strengthening the early childhood workforce is a major challenge for nearly every country. The next article, published in Apolitical, provides an interesting perspective.
Loris Malaguzzi, a founder of the Reggio Emilia approach, stated that “relationships are the essence of education.” One can view this statement in the broad sense as we can all learn from and with one another. In child care programs, early childhood educators play a unique role in the lives of young children and their families. It is essential to understand the role of these relationships in supporting both children and families.
