Around the World

It is truly amazing how we often times live in a bubble, surrounded by our own immediate needs whether they be staffing issues, standardization issues, never reaching out to explore what is going on in other countries with respect to the lives of children.  Sadly, if it doesn’t make world news, we don’t take the time.  This week’s blog assignment was fascinating and an eye-opener.  I visited the following - http://www.ecdvu.org/ssa/index.php & http://www.ecdvu.org/ssa/major_reports.php

The research topics were far reaching.  One research topic encompassed utilizing indigenous material for curriculum in Malawi.  In Malawi, oral stories in the form of songs, stories, riddles, and folk stories were used as teaching tools to relate and preserve culture; however there was a need to preserve these oral stories.  The research project involved collecting and categorizing oral stories in written form, not only to preserve the oral traditions for generations to come, but to also promote literacy among the Malawi people.  Another topic included the development of a care approach model for orphans and vulnerable children in Ghana.  The thought behind this study was to design a model based on existing programs to create nurturing, caring environments so that orphaned children would achieve ideal development.  Further examination of the site led me to a research project on the role of fathers in early childhood care in the Shanna Community, Nigeria.  The research project examined cultural beliefs in the Community affecting fathers’ involvement in childhood care, which was limited as compared to maternal involvement.  In addition, cultural beliefs on a father’s participation in early care had negative impact on the children as well as the family unit.   

What was most enlightening about this research journey is the fact that there is great focus on family, children, and school community as necessary partners in terms of the developmental and educational needs of children.  Clear connections could be made to culture as a means for teaching and learning; something we strive to do in the United States, but are still in the baby phase of the process.  We as a country are realizing we are a global cultural community, but are unsure how to combine culture into the classroom, truly welcoming all nations and cultures.