Getting to Know Your International Contact - Part 3

           I have not received a response from my email to my ACEI international contact so this week I chose to respond to the website for UNESCO.  The first thing I notice when reading the information is that unlike many educators that have researched learning during preschool age, they surmise that learning takes place from birth through age eight.  Previously it was found that when doing brain research, children’s most formative years were thought to take place from birth through age 5.  Through this program they also look at providing care and early education for children holistically by providing services in health, nutrition, security and learning.  It was stated that countries promote alternative services for poor children and that there is limited or no access to early childhood services and that there is limited resources from the government.  They looked at reducing state support for more privileged families so that there would be a more equitable distribution of resources for those who are more disadvantaged.  This is a program that looks at the inequities among people in this region due to economic status and accessibility to resources.

            I also read a news article about the three most important skills a child should learn according to participants at an Asia-Pacific Regional Consultant Conference which were as follows – 1) they need to learn about culture – culture is a kind of glue, it keeps us together;  2) values and respect. Do we respect our parents and elders enough? Are the gaps here increasing? We need to keep in mind that education comes from home – our families are the first “teachers” in our lives. They are crucial to us so respect and values are important; and 3) history – we should know our past so we can improve our future.”  I feel that each of these areas which they noted is important for children to develop a sense of themselves, what their future will look like and how to develop values and respect for others.  

            I found this website very interesting and informative.  I was able to learn much more about their work to provide early education in countries that many times lack access the resources and quality care.  I would like to learn more about the Moscow Framework, but there will little information available per this site. I plan to further investigate this program.

Reference:

UNESCO (2012). Early childhood care and education.  Retrieved from http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/themes/strengthening-education-systems/early-childhood