Thursday, June 20, 2013

What I found at UNESCO

I guess both of my international colleagues are on summer vacation this week, because I didn't hear from either one of them. But I did get the chance to go onto a wonderful website-the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization or UNESCO. There were several interesting tabs, but the information I want to share is from the Education Tab around early childhood.
1. The organization took a poll of Early Childhood Educators from around the world and they asked the question, "What are the three most important skills that a child should learn"? They posted responses from four educators from Sri Lanka, India, Cambodia, and Fiji. They talked a little about academics but these were the majority of the things they listed:
  • Life skills
  • Core values
  • How to be good citizens
  • Resilience
  • Problem solving
  • Who they are and how they relate to the world
  • Culture
  • Respect
  • History-learning from the past to inform the future 
2. The first World Conference on Early Childhood Care and Education was held in September 2010 in Moscow. It was at that conference that they determined that early care and education is a human right.

3. At this conference, they commissioned the development of index of the five most important things to consider when developing programs for families with young children called the Holistic Early Childhood Development Index. The five things are:
  • Care, education and child development
  • Policy and planning
  • Social protection (such as poverty)
  • Legal protection (such as rights)
  • Health and Nutrition 
I think these three things fall in line with my professional goals because they are all things that I believe in, are willing to share with others and advocate for a professor-they are foundational to good Preschool Systems like the one I'd like to be involved with creating in Utah-and they are great things to remember and consider as I help move the Professional Development System to the next level.  

http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/themes/strengthening-education-systems/early-childhood/
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4 comments:

  1. UnknownJune 21, 2013 at 2:37 PM

    It is so very interesting to see what things others feel are most important. I agree with all things listed. If I were to consider this same question (excluding specific academic areas), I would choose:
    empathy,
    citizenship, &
    cultural sensitivity.
    What would you choose?

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownJune 22, 2013 at 2:23 PM

    Hi Carolyn!
    I enjoyed reading your post. I agree with you. I think that all these categories are important categories that we as professional should consider as we continue our professional development.
    Thank you for sharing!
    Erika

    ReplyDelete
  3. ShavonneJune 22, 2013 at 5:18 PM

    Hi Carolyn, I am glad I was not the only one who didnt get a reply from their contact. I found the UNESCO site very interesting. I see that no matter the place early education is important across the board and around the world. The UN is big on access for low income families as well. Thank you for shairng your insight.

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousJune 23, 2013 at 10:14 AM

    Carolyn, It is refreshing to see how Early Childhood education is valued in many places all over the world.

    ReplyDelete

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