For this week's blog assignment I choose the Early Childhood Development Virtual University (ECDVU) Sub-Saharan African (SSA) website to explore for research on early childhood. Based on works found at the site, some of the current international research topics are based on quality in early childhood education, development of professionals in the field of early childhood education, and collaboration between professionals in the field of early childhood education and families/parents.
Works such as “Parents' and other caregivers' perception of early childhood development needs and quality: A study of the PLAN assisted programs in Bawjiase, Ghana.” (Stella Etsa), “Improving the quality of childcare through parenting enrichment and training of trainers: The Eritrean model.” (Abeba Habtom), and “The development of an integrated early childhood development urban model training program for informal minders and community volunteers in Ghana.”(Felix Agorsah) researched quality in early childhood education. And works such as “Building community leadership for quality sustainability in Madrasa preschools: The case of Mandrasa preschools post graduation support.” (Asha Mohammed Ahmed), “The status of coordination and supervision of early childhood education in Ghana.” (Margaret Amponsah), and “Assessment of caring practices in two motherless babies homes in Abia state, Nigeria and the development and delivery of a nutrition training program to the staff of these homes to improve nutrition of children in their care.” (Olive Akomas) are based on training and the development of professional in the field of early childhood education. Works such as “Involving fathers in early childhood care and development.” (Rosemary Hua) and Improving multisectoral cooperation and coordination in support of early childhood development programs in Tanzania (George Kameka) are works on collaboration.
While reading one of the articles I came across a surprising fact that fathers rarely participate in most early childhood development programs being implemented in Nigeria and that men have little to do with young children. This situation is cultural as the responsibility of taking care of young children is seen in Nigeria and most African societies as that of women and not men. I found this surprising because here in Turkey where I live and work, men are not only involved in the education of the young children, they actually take the leading role. Attendance at any school activity in my school ( a preschool) always has men in attendance more than women and discussions with my students show that fathers mostly help them with their home-works and other school projects.
It is noteworthy that the ECDVU is committed to improving the quality of life of children and their families in African where poverty and bad governance has shut the door of quality early childhood care and education to children thereby denying them quality living.
Sources:
http://www.ecdvu.org/ssa/index.php
http://www.ecdvu.org/ssa/major_reports.php
Shola,
ReplyDeleteI find the fact that Turkish men do participate in young children's education, and take the leading role, surprising! Here in small town Pennsylvania, USA, I must admit that most men let the women take the leading role in their children's care and education. When we have any school activity in my school (a preschool) attendance is predominately women. Home work and other school projects are also women led.
Mary L.
Shola, I enjoyed reading your post. I find not surprising that men are not usually involved in the edducation process of children, I find that also a norm in America. In working with the migrant population and most Mexican families, fathers play a very much involvement in being involved in school activities. We are currently doing a training about "Building Relationships" at the center, I am proud to say fathers and mothers both are attending this training. We are training the importance of connecting school to home in hopes of building skills and identifying obstacles to children success. It has been very enriching to me. Keep up the great work..
ReplyDeleteYours for Children; Debbi