ISSUES AND TRENDS: EXCELLENCE AND EQUITY OF CARE AND EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES (PART 1: POLICIES)

The contributor to the podcast Delila Vasquez, expressed that the issues on prescribed standards, school readiness and achievement gaps have been talked about for a long time in the early childhood education field. I learned that achievement gaps are more of a social issue than it is an academic issue because there are different economic classes in the society which is a precursor to it. I also learned that having social experiences where children can learn to communicate, ask questions and interact with others is as important as achieving academic successes (Laureate Education, Inc., 2011).

From the Harvard University's Global Children Initiative website, I learned that about 200 million children do not reach their full development potential by age 5 and there is also the need to protect children from adversity which could in turn increase the return in investment on child survival, health and education. More insights I have is that the children's global initiative works in partnerships with other organisations that are stakeholders and influencers in the early childhood field.

In Brazil, the Núcleo Ciência Pela Infância (NCPI) influences policy making by sharing scientific-based evidences to improve the early childhood field. They are also a resource center to empower leaders in the government with the knowledge and science of early childhood development (Center on the Developing Child Harvard University, n.d.).

In Canada, the Alberta family Wellness Initiative (AFWI) is dedicated to research into brain development as well as mental health treatment. The findings are used to promote policies and practices that support healthy life outcomes in children. This collaboration with policy makers in government, research and education helps to transform scientific evidences into measurable results (Center on the Developing Child Harvard University, n.d.).

In Mexico, the Aceleradora de Innovación para la Primera Infancia based in Monterrey is an institution that has been in the fore-front of improving child outcomes by adding value to human capital development. Together with NCPI in Brazil, they have become a formidable force in Latin America, that promote innovations and it's applications locally, regionally and globally (Center on the Developing Child Harvard University, n.d.).

References

Center on the Developing Child Harvard University. (n.d.). Working globally. Retrieved from https://developingchild.harvard.edu/about/what-we-do/global-work/

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2011). Issues and trends in the early childhood field: Excellence and equity of care and education for children and families—Part 1. Baltimore, MD: Author.