Transform.Ed Briefing #42
Inside the Briefing: The Vygotskian Approach, a National Spelling Bee competition, and Tashkent Declaration - a cornucopia of possibilities in early childhood care and education!
Early childhood education is often the first step in ensuring a child receives high-quality basic education. With benefits such as establishing a solid foundation for better academic success, developing social and emotional skills, and sparking intellectual curiosity that helps children learn more about the world around them, its value cannot be ignored. According to UNICEF, children who fail to attend preschool education are more likely to drop out of school and fail to reach their full potential.
Despite significant evidence highlighting the importance of Early Childhood Care and Education in the lifelong growth and development of an individual, it is often given less priority. Research shows that only around 4 out of 10 children are attending early childhood education programs. These numbers vary widely across regions, with African regions reporting attendance rates in the range of 24 - 27%
Amidst these not-so-positive numbers, a ray of hope is the continued drive towards improving them. Last year, world leaders, development partners, practitioners, scientists, civil society, and private organizations came together and arrived at the Tashkent Declaration and Commitments to Action for Transforming Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE). It sets out the guiding principles and strategies for the urgent transformation of ECCE.
With this renewed fervor and commitment to ECCE, alongside a focus on literacy skills, we should emphasize a balanced approach to emotional, social, cognitive, and language development for success in school and later in the workplace and community. Last week, we asked our readers what according to them is the most important element in early childhood education. Play-based learning was the unanimous choice for our readers.
As we reflect on the significance of child-centered ECCE, it is imperative to address some vital questions: How do you think, as educators, we can differ in our approach to contributing to and nurturing the life skills of the children? What practices can we adopt to ensure a caring, stimulating, and secure learning environment for all children?
Share your thoughts and experiences with your global peers in the comments below or join the conversation on the Global Citizenship Foundation’s Educational Leadership Community, exclusively dedicated to educators worldwide. If you haven’t signed up yet, please get in touch with us here.
With this carefully-curated edition of Transform.Ed Briefing, you can explore featured articles, stay informed about latest education policies, participate in our weekly poll, discover global events, indulge in a recommended movie, enhance your skills with professional development opportunities, enrich your knowledge with our book recommendations and stay on top of finding exciting job opportunities!
As a first-generation learner and educator, I understand the value of inspiring educators in the lives of learners; the most inspiring educators I've encountered in life are those who never stop learning. Together, let's embark on this incredible journey of learning and transforming education for human and planetary flourishing! Subscribe to Transform.Ed and be at the forefront of shaping the many futures of education!
In service of education and visionary education leaders,
— Aaryan Salman
Director-General
Global Citizenship Foundation
The Possibilities of Digital Play in Advancing Effective Social and Emotional Learning
By Dr. Fei Victor Lim | .ed Magazine
Early Childhood Mental Health: 8 Things ECE Professionals should Know
By Robbie Gould | Rasmussen University
Behavioural Science and the Early Years
By Bernard van Leer Foundation
Nov 01: PEPSA: Supporting Independence in Autistic Students Using Activity Systems
(Free Entry) This is an Online Event hosted by the Florida Atlantic University Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD)
Nov 02: Global Citizenship Education and Inclusion: Fostering Peaceful Societies
(Free Entry) This is an Online Event hosted by the UNESCO.
Nov 08: Transformative Power of Technology and Innovation in Shaping Education
(Free Entry) This is an Online Event hosted by University Industry Innovation Network
Nov 28-30: International Conference on Transformative Education 2023
(Paid Entry) This is an Online Event hosted by the Global Citizenship Foundation
A young girl from South Los Angeles tries to make it to the National Spelling Bee with the help of her supportive mentor.
Brain Development in Early Years
By Institute of Early Childhood Education and Development, KLAY
Tools of the Mind: The Vygotskian Approach to Early Childhood Education
By Elena Bodrova, Deborah J. Leong
🇵🇸 Deputy Dean Education Science Faculty (Fixed Term), United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), Ramallah (Deadline: 31 Oct 2023)
🇪🇸 Education in Emergency Expert, Ayuda en Acción, Madrid (Deadline: 03 Nov 2023)
🇱🇧 Chief of Section/Senior Programme Specialist (Education), UNESCO, Beirut (Deadline: 06 Nov 2023)
🇵🇪 Secondary Science Teacher, San Silvestre School, Miraflores (Deadline: 18 Nov 2023)
🇦🇺 Lecturer / Senior Lecturer / Associate Professor in Aviation, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn (Deadline: 19 Nov 2023)
🇰🇪 Dean of Instruction and Learning, Nova Pioneer Education Group, Nairobi (Deadline: Open Until Filled)
🇨🇦 Early Childhood Educator, The Lower Mainland Purpose Society, British Columbia (Deadline: Open Until Filled)
🇪🇬 Assistant/Associate Professor in Computer Science and Engineering, American University in Cairo (Deadline: Open Until Filled)
🇨🇳 Boarding Master, Wellington College International, Hangzhou (Deadline: Open Until Filled)
🇪🇬 English Teacher (Temporary/Part-Time) - El Alsson British and American International School, New Giza (Deadline: Open Until Filled)
🇮🇳 Program Officer, Learning and Innovations, Room to Read, India (Deadline: Open Until Filled)
Disclaimer: The Global Citizenship Foundation does not endorse or assume responsibility for the content, products, services, policies, or practices of external links, providers, or any third-party materials referenced in this newsletter. Please use your discretion when accessing external links or resources.
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Thank you for being a part of our community, and we hope you enjoy this issue!
The Global Citizenship Foundation is a leading specialist international organization based in South Asia (NCR Delhi, India) and the European Union (Tallinn, Estonia). Its principal mandate is to realize the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 4 and Target 4.7 (Education for Global Citizenship and Sustainable Development). Since 2016, the GCF has impacted education in 70+ countries, striving to transform education for human and planetary flourishing.
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