Early Childhood Development Action Network (ECDAN)’s Post

The future ability of a child to make decisions is greatly influenced by receiving a high-quality early childhood education. Children acquire basic cognitive, social, and emotional abilities during their formative years, which set the stage for their success in the future. The facts and experiences show that the acquisition of such abilities is not just through the teaching or training process, but also by children's Observation, which is the most effective way. Children learn much faster by observing what their parents, guardians, older siblings, teachers and everybody around them do or say. It is through this concept that the founder of Grow Wise Africa came out with the video titled “Sakafu Allegory.” https://lnkd.in/gYyAErJa which explains the general idea of why parents and other groups of people should be watchful and intentional about what they want to impart in the lives of children. However, spending money and time on high-quality early childhood education is an investment in children's capacity for making decisions in the future. It lays the groundwork for a lifetime of knowledge acquisition, flexibility, and decision-making ability, which eventually promotes individual and societal advancement. The studies show that poor African families' inability to pay for early childhood education can have serious, long-lasting effects that impede children's development and aggravate already-existing disparities, not just within the continent but also in the global arena. A multifaceted strategy including community engagement, government measures, and lobbying for education is needed to address these African challenges. The obstacles preventing impoverished families from accessing early childhood education can be removed in part by funding subsidized programs, raising awareness, and making sure that the program is inclusive and culturally sensitive. However, such strategies and efforts can also be done not just from the organization or group level, but also from the individual level, in any possible way that can contribute to influence even a small change in the whole situation. Grow WiseAfrica #ealychildhoodeducation #qualityeducationforall #earlylearning #sustainabilityeducation

🚨 Urgent Call to Action: Only 38% of Children in Uganda Have Access to Pre-Primary Education 🚨 In a country where the future of our youth is paramount, it’s alarming to see that only 38% of children in Uganda currently have access to pre-primary education. This gap in access not only limits individual potential but also stunts the overall growth of our society. Every child deserves the chance to learn, grow, and thrive in a nurturing environment that prepares them for future educational success. Universal Pre-Primary Education is a critical step toward ensuring that all children, regardless of their background, can embark on their educational journey. By supporting Universal Pre-Primary Education, we can advocate for policies and initiatives that create equitable access to quality education for all children in Uganda. 👉 To learn more about the current state of #EarlyChildhoodDevelopment in Uganda and how we can drive change, read the Situation Analysis of ECD> https://bit.ly/4cOlVTt The ELMA Philanthropies Africa Early Childhood Network Early Childhood Development Network For Kenya (ECDNeK) Echidna Giving The LEGO Foundation Grand Challenges Canada Moving Minds Alliance Lydia Mubiru Early Childhood Development Initiative (ECDI) Early Childhood Development Action Network (ECDAN) Patricia Young Joan Lombardi Early Childhood Alliance TECPA: The Early Child Professional Association

Tanzania Early Childhood Education and Care (TECEC) We had the pleasure of hosting the Luchelele ward community development officer at our office today, and we had an amazing discussion! Our primary focus was on how we can support children aged zero to eight within Luchelele community. However, we also acknowledged that our organization is conveniently located opposite The Saint Augstine University of Tanzania, which presents an opportunity to help students who find themselves pregnant without the necessary skills to raise young children from conception. This issue is one that requires our attention and compassion. We understand that these students may not have planned for parenthood and may be feeling overwhelmed and unsure of how to navigate this new chapter in their lives. As a community, it is our responsibility to provide them with the support and resources they need to succeed both academically and as parents. To address this, we are considering the development of a project that specifically caters to the needs of these students. This project would encompass a holistic approach by providing educational resources, parenting classes, counseling services, and connections to local support networks. By doing so, we aim to ensure that these students can continue pursuing their education while also providing a nurturing environment for their children. We understand that this undertaking will require the involvement and cooperation of various stakeholders, including the university administration, local healthcare providers, and the broader community. However, with our shared dedication and collective efforts, we can create a supportive framework that enables these students to successfully navigate their educational journey while raising their children with confidence and competence. We welcome any thoughts, ideas, or suggestions from our LinkedIn network on how we can best address this issue. Together, let's make a positive difference in the lives of these young parents and their children, ensuring they have the support they deserve to thrive. #CommunitySupport

WORLD CHILDREN'S DAY ...not just a Celebration. Today is May 27, a special day for children in Nigeria observed as a public holiday (for primary and secondary school students). World Children's Day is aimed at promoting togetherness among children and improving children's welfare. The significance of the day ought to reflect in the remaining 364 days of the year, and Education has a vital role to play in this, in the following ways: 1. Right to Education: Education is a fundamental right of every child, and World Children's Day emphasizes the importance of ensuring access to quality education for all children, regardless of their background or circumstances. 2. Empowerment: Education empowers children to break the cycle of poverty, overcome obstacles, and reach their full potential, contributing to a brighter future for themselves and their communities. 3. Awareness and Advocacy: Education helps children understand their rights, develop critical thinking, and become advocates for their own causes, enabling them to participate in initiatives like World Children's Day. 4. Development and Growth: Education is essential for children's cognitive, social, and emotional development, helping them grow into informed, responsible, and engaged global citizens. 5. Breaking Barriers: Education helps bridge the gap between different cultures, communities, and socio-economic backgrounds, promoting inclusivity and equality, which is at the heart of World Children's Day. World Children's Day should therefore not just be a celebration, but an awareness to ensure every child has access to quality learning opportunities, supporting their overall well-being and development. As an adult, parent, professional and educator, I advocate for quality education for every child everywhere in Nigeria and beyond. What about you? Why should you advocate for such? Well, if we give today's great learning experiences, they will build the future, but if we don't, too bad! And that 'too bad' is laden with meaning. Happy Children's Day! MD Omisore www.smartandbrilliant.com

A Call for Urgent Investment in Early Childhood Education 🌍📚✨ For Africa's promise of a youth dividend to materialise, there has to be a deliberate focus on the early stages of human capital development. There are 100 million children who lack access to quality education, and 60% are in Sub-Saharan Africa. These figures point to an urgent need for investment to solve this gap. In this article, our President and CEO Elizabeth Tanya Masiyiwa shares how we are scaling and strengthening our work in Early Childhood Education, investing in early childhood education as the key to shaping a prosperous future, and ensuring every child's journey starts with a strong foundation. 🔗 Read the article here: https://ow.ly/gBRo50Q6Xef #HigherlifeFoundation #DeltaPhilanthropies #EarlyChildhoodEducation #InvestInEducation #QualityEducation #EducationForAll

Today our Tanzania Early Childhood Education and Care (TECEC) team had a home visit where we found children immersed in play. Play and learning are inseparable in early childhood, but their importance often goes unrecognized. Play is not merely a pastime; it is vital for a child's development. Through play, children develop problem-solving, creativity, and social skills. We advocate for recognizing the value of play. Let's raise awareness about the significance of play in early childhood and ensure every child has the opportunity to play and explore freely. #PlayAndLearn #EarlyChildhoodDevelopment #PowerOfPlay

Unveiling the Reality: The Unrecognized Struggle for Children's Rights. In developing countries, notably in Africa, particularly in Uganda, the plight of children's rights remains obscured despite the universal recognition of fundamental rights. Beyond the elementary right of a child to be given a name, numerous other rights are regrettably treated as optional by parents. Drawing from my rural upbringing, the challenges children face extend far beyond the simple act of naming. While some, through sheer grace, manage to navigate these hurdles, the struggles—especially in accessing education and securing sufficient food—are widespread and heart-wrenching. 🌍 In these rural villages, children often fend for themselves when it comes to food, sometimes relying solely on fruits for sustenance. However, the situation takes a more distressing turn when we consider the right to education. Many parents, for various reasons, choose to overlook or, in some heartbreaking cases, completely disregard their children's right to education. Even those with the means to afford it are not always motivated to fulfill these rights, treating education as an optional pursuit. 🎓💔 The gravity of this issue hit me harder as I reflected on my journey. Among the approximately 200 individuals at the elementary level, only a handful, including myself, managed to graduate from university. Witnessing some of my peers now struggling on the streets for basic needs is heart-wrenching. This painful reality is a direct consequence of parents taking education for granted, a sad pattern all too common in Africa. 🌍💔 These challenges echo the principles laid out by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and other international bodies. Despite the global acknowledgment of these fundamental rights, many children's rights are treated as optional, lacking the attention and seriousness they so desperately require. It's crucial to illuminate these challenges and advocate for a collective effort to ensure every child's right is respected and fulfilled. Let's channel our collective energy towards building a future where every child has access to education and a chance for a better life. 🤝📚 #childrensrights #educationmatters #empowerthefuture #UNCRCrecognition #doveloveorphanage

An excellent article by Prof Atmore highlighting the concerning state of early childhood development (ECD) centres in South Africa, revealing that only 30% of young children aged birth to five attend a pre-school, and the quality of many of these is poor, especially in economically disadvantaged communities. These pre-schools struggle financially to pay for better trained teachers, to access educational resources, and to fund the much needed infrastructure to meet registration requirements - highlighted by the fact that 60% are ineligible for government subsidies. We support the plea for President Ramaphosa to address this crisis by increasing funding for ECD and acknowledging the importance of early childhood development for our country's future. ~ Marion Wagner, Director Breadline Africa https://lnkd.in/dZEDJs4C

Tackling the educational exclusion of children with special needs in Nigeria: A Multi - faceted Approach. Educational inclusion of children with special needs requires a multi faceted approach that addresses the root causes of exclusion while promoting awareness, advocacy and policy reform. By implementing the proposed strategies and theories of change, Nigeria can move towards a more inclusive educational landscape where every child, regardless of ability, has access to quality education. Based on the analysis conducted by the Seizure Support Foundation's Research and Development unit, several holistic solutions are proposed to address the educational exclusion of children with special needs in Nigeria Click to read full article https://lnkd.in/daDeWEdm

Helloworld "Holistic Development of Children: Overcoming Obstacles in Nigeria's Educational Landscape" The state of Nigeria's educational system is currently in disarray, with numerous factors contributing to its decline. One major issue stems from the appointment of unqualified individuals to head the Ministry of Education. This results in the formulation of misguided policies and a lack of implementation of beneficial ones. Another significant concern is the misappropriation of funds allocated for revitalizing the sector. This embezzlement further exacerbates the failure of the system, hindering its progress. Both public and private schools have also stopped enforcing the practice of repeating students who require improvement. Instead, they merely suggest repeating, especially in the case of private schools. However, even when this suggestion is made, irresponsible parents driven by selfish motives refuse to allow their children to repeat a particular class. These parents often put their reasons on limited resources, impending retirement age, or they just feel compelled to compete with a neighbour or other family members. Consequently, they go to great lengths to ensure their wards skip one or two classes, even in primary and secondary school, these they achieve by frequently changing their schools. In the education of a child, the paramount focus should be the child's holistic development, prioritizing their growth above all else. As someone who has spent like fifteen years in the educational system, I can attest that the situation is not improving; it is deteriorating day by day. Make the education of your children a top priority and actively engage in their learning journey. Do not rely solely on the school, regardless of its reputation or excellence. Become an active participant in their learning journey, a guiding force that surpasses the trials of a faltering system. Emerge from the shadows, and let the light of knowledge illuminate the path towards a brighter future for our children. Make education a top priority, a beacon of hope in the midst of chaos. Drop your thoughts, lets engage, let's connect😊. #childcare #childdevelopment #studentengagement #studentsupport #childreneducation #priority #helpinghands #helpingotherssucceed #winningtogether #winningmindset #Godscommandment #itsBeejayrymes #beko