While reading the Blog assignment for week 5, I have learned several things from the Early Childhood Development Virtual University (ECDVU) Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) website. To further develop African ECD leadership capacity as a key strategy in support of child, family and community well-being and broader social and economic development is the ideal goal of the Early Childhood Virtual University.
As I looked further into the research conducted by the students in Sub-Saharan Africa, I noticed that the majority of their current international research topics talked about how they could improve the development of young children in Africa. For instance, they wanted to increase children’s safety, development, father interaction, staff training, and program quality.
The surprising insight that I learned by exploring this international early childhood website was the fact that they are struggling with the same issues as America. No matter where you are in this world if it involves young children than you will nine times out ten deal with the same issues as other countries. Also, I learned that they use the Inclusive Quality Act Tool to measure the quality of early childhood services just like we do in American. I did not know that tool was being used all over the world.
Reference
Early Childhood Development Virtual University (ECDVU) Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA): Developed and maintained by the University of Victoria, Canada, this virtual university is the international gateway for early childhood research worldwide. Through the link below, you can access ECDVU’s Sub-Saharan Africa portal. The second link takes you to a list of current early childhood research conducted by students in Sub-Saharan Africa.
http://www.ecdvu.org/ssa/index.php
http://www.ecdvu.org/ssa/major_reports.php
Erica,
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing to me how early childhood programs all around the world are using standards to measure quality of programs. It's my opinion that ALL programs should be subject to a rating system so parents have information to make a decision when choosing a program for their child. Any school will put their best foot forward when a prospective parent walks thru the door, but in some centers things go back to "normal" after that parent has signed up. It's sad to me when you can tell a business may only be operating an early childhood program for the money/tuition. Have you seen this in the area in which you live?
Yes, I have seen some schools that only operate their business for the money/tution. It is very sad to say but I have. I don't understand why they are in that profession to begin with because they should be in it for the children not the money.
DeleteErica,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy homework assignments that force us to look at what is happening internationally within the early childhood field. I learned some insightful information about education in Africa and Australia. I also wasn’t aware that Sub-Saharan Africa uses the same tools to measure quality early childhood education. Thanks for sharing the issues at the forefront of education in Africa. I will be sure to reference this website to see the outcome of their efforts.
Your welcome.
Delete