Source: University of Colombo, Early Childhood Development Centre (ECDC). Retrieved from University of Colombo ECDC webpage. I) WHAT IS EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION (ECE)? Early childhood education (ECE) refers to the formal and informal educational programs and activities designed for childrenRead more
Source: University of Colombo, Early Childhood Development Centre (ECDC). Retrieved from University of Colombo ECDC webpage.
I) WHAT IS EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION (ECE)?
Early childhood education (ECE) refers to the formal and informal educational programs and activities designed for children from birth to the age of eight. This period is considered critical for cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development. ECE encompasses a variety of settings, including preschools, kindergartens, nursery schools, and child care centres, and focuses on fostering foundational skills and knowledge that will support children throughout their educational journeys and beyond.
II) WHAT IS THE ROLE/IMPORTANCE OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION (ECE) IN A CHILD’S OVERALL DEVELOPMENT?
According to our National Education Policy (or our NEP) 2020, ECE is essential for the development of cognitive, social, and emotional skills. This period is critical as 85% of a child’s cumulative brain development occurs before the age of six. Thus, ECE programs help in the holistic development of children, addressing their physical, emotional, social, and cognitive needs.
Pragmatic educational theorist, John Dewey, in his book ‘Experience and Education’, emphasised the importance of early education in fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Dewey advocated for experiential learning, where children learn through doing and reflecting, thereby developing a love for learning that persists throughout their lives. Scholars and educationalists such as Rabindranath Tagore and Jiddu Krishnamurthi too, highlighted the significance of nurturing a child’s creativity and individuality. Tagore believed in an education system that is in harmony with the natural environment, which helps in the emotional and social development of children. Similarly, Krishnamurthi emphasised the importance of understanding and self-awareness in education.
III) HOW CAN WE ENSURE EQUITABLE ACCESS TO HIGH-QUALITY EARLY LEARNING EXPERIENCES FOR ALL CHILDREN?
Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of education, Nai Talim (or Basic Education), advocated for an education system that is inclusive and accessible to all, irrespective of socio-economic backgrounds. To achieve this, there must be concerted efforts to provide resources and support to marginalised communities, ensuring that every child has access to quality early childhood education. In accordance with such ideas, the Right to Education (or the RTE) Act 2009 in India mandates free and compulsory education for children aged 6 to 14 years (RTE Act 2009, Section 3). Extending this provision to ECE, as recommended by NEP 2020, can help ensure that all children have access to high-quality early learning experiences. NEP 2020 gives much importance to Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) as well, which is the ability to read and comprehend basic text and perform simple mathematical operations. Ensuring that children acquire these foundational skills by grade 3 is critical for their continued educational success.
IV) WHAT ALL CAN HELP?
Engaging parents and communities in the educational process is vital. Programs that educate parents about the importance of ECE and involve them in their children’s learning can significantly enhance the effectiveness of early education initiatives. Apart from that, encouraging collaboration between government bodies and private institutions can help in expanding the reach of ECE programs, especially in underserved areas. Investing in the training and continuous professional development of early childhood educators is equally essential. Well-trained teachers can provide high-quality education and care, fostering a conducive learning environment for young children, as also been highlighted by Maria Montessori in her book, ‘The Absorbent Mind’. Lastly, implementing robust monitoring and assessment frameworks can help in tracking the progress and effectiveness of plenty of ECE programs. This data can be used to make informed decisions and improvements in the curriculum and teaching methodologies.
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There are many women in history who have made significant contributions but are often overlooked. Here are some lesser-known figures who deserve recognition: 1. Hatshepsut (1507–1458 BCE) Hatshepsut was one of the few female pharaohs of ancient Egypt. She is known for her prosperous reign, marked byRead more
There are many women in history who have made significant contributions but are often overlooked. Here are some lesser-known figures who deserve recognition:
1. Hatshepsut (1507–1458 BCE)
Hatshepsut was one of the few female pharaohs of ancient Egypt. She is known for her prosperous reign, marked by extensive trade networks and ambitious building projects, including her famous mortuary temple at Deir el-Bahri. Despite her successful rule, later pharaohs tried to erase her legacy by defacing her monuments and removing her name from historical records.
2. Lise Meitner (1878–1968)
An Austrian-Swedish physicist, Lise Meitner made groundbreaking contributions to nuclear physics and radioactivity. She was part of the team that discovered nuclear fission, but her contributions were often overshadowed by her male colleagues, particularly Otto Hahn, who won the Nobel Prize for the discovery.
3. Chien-Shiung Wu (1912–1997)
A Chinese-American experimental physicist, Chien-Shiung Wu made significant contributions to nuclear physics, particularly in the field of beta decay. Her work confirmed the theory of the weak force and the principle of parity violation, which led to a Nobel Prize for her male colleagues, Tsung-Dao Lee and Chen-Ning Yang, but she was not included in the award.
4. Grace Hopper (1906–1992)
Grace Hopper was an American computer scientist and a rear admiral in the U.S. Navy. She was a pioneer in developing computer programming languages and helped create COBOL, one of the first high-level programming languages. Despite her pivotal role in the early development of computers, her contributions are often underappreciated.
5. Rosalind Franklin (1920–1958)
An English chemist and X-ray crystallographer, Rosalind Franklin made crucial contributions to understanding the molecular structures of DNA, RNA, viruses, coal, and graphite. Her X-ray diffraction images of DNA led to the discovery of the DNA double helix. However, her contributions were not fully recognized during her lifetime, and she was not included in the Nobel Prize awarded to Watson, Crick, and Wilkins.
6. Sophie Scholl (1921–1943)
A German student and anti-Nazi political activist, Sophie Scholl was a member of the White Rose, a non-violent resistance group in Nazi Germany. She was executed for distributing anti-war leaflets, and her courageous stand against the regime has made her a symbol of resistance to tyranny.
7. Hedy Lamarr (1914–2000)
An Austrian-American actress and inventor, Hedy Lamarr co-invented an early version of frequency-hopping spread spectrum communication technology, which is the basis for modern wireless communication technologies like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Despite her significant contributions to technology, she is often remembered more for her Hollywood career than her scientific achievements.
8. Wangari Maathai (1940–2011)
A Kenyan environmental activist and the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize, Wangari Maathai founded the Green Belt Movement, an environmental organization that focuses on tree planting, environmental conservation, and women’s rights. Her work has had a lasting impact on sustainable development and environmental protection in Africa.
9. Harriet Jacobs (1813–1897)
An African-American writer and abolitionist, Harriet Jacobs was the author of “Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl,” one of the first autobiographical narratives about the female experience in slavery. Her work provided a powerful insight into the abuses of slavery and helped to galvanize the abolitionist movement.
10. Dr. Anandibai Joshi (1865–1887)
Anandibai Joshi was one of the first Indian women to receive a medical degree. She traveled to the United States in the late 19th century to study medicine and graduated from the Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania in 1886. Her achievement was groundbreaking, as it challenged traditional gender roles in Indian society.
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