This week I will be exploring the UNESCO’s “Early Childhood Care and Education” website. I will share three things I learned while reviewing the site.
I learned about the Education for All (EFA) movement. I learned about six goals that if reached will help improve children’s educational experiences.
“At the World Education Forum (Dakar, 2000), 164 governments pledged to achieve EFA and identified six goals to be met by 2015. Governments, development agencies, civil society and the private sector are working together to reach the EFA goals. Six internationally agreed education goals aim to meet the learning needs of all children, youth and adults by 2015:
Goal 1: Expanding and improving comprehensive early childhood care and education, especially for the most vulnerable and disadvantaged children
Goal 2: Ensuring that by 2015 all children, particularly girls, children in difficult circumstances and those belonging to ethnic minorities, have access to, and complete, free and compulsory primary education of good quality.
Goal 3: Ensuring that the learning needs of all young people and adults are met through equitable access to appropriate learning and life-skills programs
Goal 4: Achieving a 50 per cent improvement in levels of adult literacy by 2015, especially for women, and equitable access to basic and continuing education for all adults.
Goal 5: Eliminating gender disparities in primary and secondary education by 2005, and achieving gender equality in education by 2015, with a focus on ensuring girls’ full and equal access to and achievement in basic education of good quality.
Goal 6: Improving all aspects of the quality of education and ensuring excellence of all so that recognized and measurable learning outcomes are achieved by all, especially in literacy, numeracy and essential life skills” (taken from: http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/themes/leading-the-international-agenda/education-for-all/efa-goals/)
Video from a Moscow kindergarten:
While exploring the website I came across a video of a Kindergarten classroom in Moscow. I was intrigued by this video, the Kindergarten environment was so similar to ones I’ve seen in the U.S. For some reason I had assumed it would be completely different. I was wrong. Aside from using a different language, the Moscow Kindergarten could be a local Kindergarten here in the U.S. I learned that Early Childhood Education is not as different in other countries as I had thought. I also learned that getting in touch with nature helps children to see beauty in unique ways and ultimately in themselves.
The video can be found here: http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/themes/strengthening-education-systems/early-childhood/
Importance of Quality Early Childhood Education:
This section focused on the importance of quality. I found the following quote inspiring:
“Early childhood care and education programs should emphasize the child’s holistic development and extend beyond assisting the child’s transition to formal schooling. High quality childcare, particularly for children from disadvantaged backgrounds, promotes motivation, confidence, good cognitive and linguistic development and school readiness” (taken from: http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/themes/strengthening-education-systems/early-childhood/quality/).
Angela,
ReplyDeleteThank you for the link to the Moscow Kindergarten. I also thought the look of the kindergarten would be completely different than the ones we see in the United States. This is one aspect of this course I have appreciated, being able to explore international ideals of early childhood.
Alissa
Angela,
ReplyDeleteI thought that the six goals were a great idea to help improve the educational experiences and opportunities for the children. Regardless, of where they live all children should be given the opportunity to learn in quality schools and programs. If children are our future leaders, then shouldn't we do whatever we can in our power to educate them and give them a great headstart.
Angela,
ReplyDeleteI also visited the UNESCO website, but your blog exposed me to another aspect of this organization. The six goals all seem to be achievable goals that will further advance the ECE field. I agree that the classroom in Moscow is similar to classrooms in the U.S. I love how the teachers and parents work together in assisting with the facilitating of learning in their children.
Hi! Angela,
ReplyDeleteThe kindergarten classroom in Moscow is very interesting. I would have assumed the same thing on the arrangments being different. (But you know what they say about when you assume.. lol..). You would probably think that children learn differently in other counties , but that is not the case at all.