Barbados

Whoever designed this program did a great job. I've bolded and italicized the paragraphs most near and dear to my heart. This is what all childcare should do. I love to dig around in the news and find out what other places are doing with childcare. This time, in this article, I've caught the golden ring.
Judy

Early Childhood Education Curriculum Gets Thumbs Up -
Tue Oct 25 2005
Barbados


Governments Early Childhood Education Curriculum is already receiving high praise from local educators in the island. One such person who has given the programme a nod is Angela Smith, Principal of the All Saints Nursery School, which opened its doors on September 12 this year.

Smith has had just about five weeks to carry out such a programme with 44 pupils, 24 boys and 20 girls inclusive of one special needs child to date.

All Saints Nursery is now the fifth public nursery school in the island of Barbados. Smith highlighted various aspects of the Early Childhood Education Curriculum that is delivered in nursery schools, as well as in nursery units and infant departments of primary schools in Barbados at the launch of the Expansion programme for Early Childhood Education in Barbados at the St. Bernards Primary School in Lammings, St. Joseph yesterday.

She was supported by various representatives from the Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports, including Chief Education Officer Wendy Griffith-Watson, who also believes that early childhood education is the key stage of education, and representatives of the Early Childhood Education Association of Barbados. There are several areas of language arts vital to early childhood education, Smith noted, and one such area is story-telling, which is enhanced via the use of puppetry.

Stories capture childrens attention. They provide enjoyment, relaxation and information. They teach new vocabulary and concepts as well as moral and social values and skills. Stories also encourage an appreciation for literature, they encourage children to develop listening skills ...(and also) appropriate speech patterns. The Early Childhood Curriculum also facilitates the development of motor skills through the use of art and craft, and various manipulatives such as block building, the placing of pegs into small holes and the lacing of beads. The use of technology is also employed to prepare students for life. Smith also cited role play or dramatic play as another aspect of the programme.

Children enjoy dramatic play because it involves taking on a role and engaging in imitative behaviours, activities which young children simply adore. Children through dramatic play learn about themselves, their families and society and collect and draw upon previous experiences, Smith said. Children also learn about problem-solving, team work and can also act out their fears safely. Music and singing is also another aspect of the curriculum which naturally delights and appeals to children, and singing and chanting makes activities more enjoyable.

Children learn on their feet, not on their seat. Hence, there is the inclusion of practical activities in the curriculum.

It is critical that students also learn from the environment and the community and hence, the use of educational tours which allow for parental involvement as well. Resource persons are also invited to speak with the pupils, she noted, and the high quality curriculum allows for a well-built and rounded pupil. Principal of St. Bernards Primary School, Michael Alleyne, who has also given the programme his approval, is calling on parents in Barbados to give full support to the execution of the above programme.