Getting to Know Your International Contacts – Part 2

The insights and information I have gained from my conversation with my international contacts is that early childhood is a critical time to help children develop the literacy and math skills that will ensure their academic success; to close achievement gaps before they emerge; and to set children on the path toward developing what have been called the social, or executive, skills of working with others, following directions, completing assignments and communicating effectively. These skills are particularly important for the development of a high-quality workforce that can successfully compete in a global economy. In response to the political and social revolutions that shook Europe in 1989, education and early childhood systems in the region embarked on an extended period of reform and innovation, drawing together ideas, evidence and practices from around the world. In the process, early childhood services have changed dramatically. This year's conference will bring together practitioners, researchers, experts and policy makers to explore the transformation of early childhood services over the past 25 years looking at the challenges of articulating such services that both fulfill the rights of all children and their families, and empower early childhood professionals and paraprofessionals as agents of social change.

Evidence from neuroscientists, economists, educators and child development specialists continues to reinforce the critical importance of the early years in establishing an individual’s lifelong trajectory. Yet few countries around the world can boast universal and comprehensive systems and services that support children’s optimal development in. At the same time, childhood institutions have not been static. Over the past 25 years increasing poverty, migration and disparities have challenged early childhood systems to scale-up and innovate to meet the needs of more diverse children and families. Those countries that embrace democracy focus on ensuring access, inclusion, equity and quality for all children, especially the most vulnerable.

The additional information that I acquired about issues of equity and excellence from my international sources is that by the time children enter primary school, the gaps in achievement between the most disadvantaged children and majority children are almost insurmountable. Yet, research repeatedly demonstrates that the most disadvantaged children make the greatest gains in high quality early childhood services. Prioritizing services for the most disadvantaged, thus, is one way of reducing or eliminating gaps in equity that form in the earliest years of life.  Reaching and supporting all children in the earliest years, particularly the most vulnerable, is one of the greatest challenges of early childhood systems. The most effective programs start in the prenatal period, promote responsive, stimulating interactions and are sensitive to the diverse needs of families. 

ISSA promotes inclusive, quality care and education experiences that create the conditions for every child to be happy and reach his or her full potential. The organization does this through three different pillars of action: ensuring equal access for all children; promoting high-quality and professionalism in early year’s services and supporting parents and communities to take part in their children’s development and learning.

Remember the challenge that President Obama issued: to ensure that every child has access to a complete and competitive education from the day they are born to the day they begin a career. The future demands that we work collaboratively across sectors to strengthen our educational system. This means providing excellent early childhood education as a strong foundation for learning, healthy development and longer term school success. 

Resources: 

                                                     

http://www.issa.nl/events

http://www.idra.org/IDRA_Newsletter/February_2013_Curriculum_Quality/Access%2C_Equity_and_Excellence_in_Early_Childhood_Education/#sthash.E6d8vThm.dpuf