Much of the research done on early childhood education discusses the many developmental and economic benefits. However after reading the online journal Current Issues in Comparative Education, I now understand that the research done in the United States is not relevant to the situations in other countries. For example, the article written on Zambia explains that although the benefits of early childhood education are understood, the country must consider their priorities. Zambia has a failing primary school system that is lacking in money. Teachers interviewed spoke about not having paper, pencils, textbooks, while there was also a lack of classrooms. Developing an early childhood education program would only take more money away from the already failing primary school system. We must not compare the environment in the United States to other countries. Each country must first establish that an early childhood program is feasible. Then each country must create programs that fit into the culture of that country. For example, parents in some countries believe children should be in home care centers not center based until the children enter the school system. High quality programs can be established while at the same time respecting the culture of the parents.
International contact
Margaret, my contact in South Africa referred me this week to the website www.ci.org.za to read the Child Guage 2012 written by the Child Institute of the University of South Africa. This article discusses inequity in income with the poorest people receiving only 0.6% of the national income while the richest people receive 57% of the national income. The worry is that inequity within a generation will carry over to the next generation. The article stated that poverty does not define inequity itself. There is much inequity in the services that people receive. Largely this is based on demographics. There are 50% of the children in South Africa living in rural areas. These areas are the most deprived of health services, educational services, and early childhood interventions. The location of a child's household determines the gap of inequity. The government does offer a Child Support Grant to help with poverty but the people living in rural areas use the money just to get to the places with services. From my contacts information and this website, I realized that location is a huge contributor toward inequity in South Africa.
I enjoy reading your post MaryJo, and I do agree that every country must be able to create programs that would fit into their culture. Child development and some learning theories have restrictions and they can promote the outlook about children in general. But it first must be understood that these theories must be viewed in light of both cultural diversity and a respect for individuality. I certainly agree that most children that live in poverty are at danger for academic failure.
ReplyDeleteJanet