Early childhood development (ECD) is about programmes for very young children and these are run all over South Africa – in homes, community halls, churches, pre-schools, créches and primary schools – anywhere where providers are doing their best for groups of young children.
The groups can be small, as in a home where a childminder takes care of no more than six children. The groups can be bigger, where children attend a grade R class on a community site or at a primary school. The reasons why parents and care-givers place children in centres range from their wish for simple day care to their choosing a centre where their child can meet other children and take part in safe and stimulating activities.
Women usually run ECD programmes, but whoever runs a programme like this must want to spend time with children. This is not a job to turn to because you can’t think of anything else to do; it’s not a way to make easy money. Running an ECD programme takes commitment, as we read in last month’s article outlining what a grade R teacher should do. Running an ECD programme can also be rewarding as you see children enjoy themselves and grow and develop their creativity.
An ECD programme, whether it caters for a small or large number of children, should be based on certain important elements. These are:
that children learn best through play (active learning);
all the needs of the child should be addressed (holistic development);
children are part of families and communities; and
children have rights and responsibilities.
Active learning
Most children enjoy discovering things for themselves. Research and our own observations tell us that children learn best when they are actively involved in finding out about their world and how things work. ECD programmes should schedule a lot of time for children to play freely and make their own choices about what to do. They should be allowed to experiment and not be afraid to make mistakes.
Adults should allow and encourage children to be creative and provide materials for them to use to try out ways of behaving, of making things or finding answers to “what happens if I do this or that?” Children need to watch others, to talk and listen to those around them.
Holistic development
ECD programmes must be planned to cater for all aspects of a child – their social, emotional, intellectual, spiritual, moral and physical needs and aspirations must be equally valued. It is neither easy nor is it always useful to pull these aspects apart and look at one and not the others.
As we look at one activity in an ECD programme we see that, yes, it supports emotional development. But it also develops the child intellectually, and so on. We don’t need to analyse each and every activity and try and label it as catering for one or the other aspect. However we do need to remember all the different aspects so that we don’t overlook any. Those who work with young children have to stop now and again to check that they are caring for and supporting the whole child.
Children are part of a community
Building resilient children – children who are able to solve problems, deal with difficult situations and look for appropriate support – is an aim for most parents. ECD programmes can assist with this aim as they help children to feel that they belong to someone who loves them and will protect them – and this security is the foundation of resilience.
Many very young children are adversely affected by the Aids pandemic and ECD centres can offer much-needed support to them by helping provide some of the love and support that all children need. The parents and caregivers can also find support in their local ECD centre. Most of these are grannies and they often need support and care as much as the children do.
The ECD programme should be part of the community, involving parents and others in what they do and strengthening the understanding that “it takes a village to raise a child”. This may be more possible in a rural area than in a peri-urban or urban area, but it is something we have to strive towards.
Children have rights and responsibilities
The rights of young children are clearly stated in the South African Constitution, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Children and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the African Child. Adults are the custodians of such rights as children cannot access these rights on their own.
These rights must be protected by everyone who works with children or comes into contact with them. This means almost everyone in the community.
Children attending the programme should be able to drink clean water and eat nutritious food or snacks. Little children learn about their responsibilities through knowing and feeling that they are part of a group and in learning to share with others and to help care for one another.
The next article on early childhood will be about government’s programmes and commitment to early childhood.
Snoeks Desmond is an independent consultant with many years of experience in the ECD sector. The next article on early childhood will be about government’s programmes and commitment to ECD