 |
Health and Education plays hand in hand. Children must have a balance. |
Saturday, June 2, 2012
The Children of Zambian
I was intrigued with an article on the Harvard University’s “Global Children’s Initiative” website. It was titled Zambian Early Childhood Development Project. There has been so many health issues and death for children in their country that there has never been a study or measuring tool for children learning and developmental growth in sub-Saharan African. They got it off its feet in May of 2010. They called it Zambian Child Assessment Test (ZamCat). It would help them to be able to understand and improve child development and to be able to identify important opportunities for intervention. And the Harvard University collaborated with a team to help them control and maintain a stable healthy, developmental appropriate and stimulating environment for children.
When you think of all the studies for the need for early childhood programs, you think that every country has some type of program in place; however, this country was fighting to save the lives of their children and families. I learned that there are children under that age of five have been dying from Malaria and HIV but with the efforts of the Zambian anti-malaria initiative the number are 30 percent lower on sickness and death and higher of educational growth. I learned that they speak 770 different languages in that region of the country. It makes me wonder if they just created an assessment tool to show the need for early childhood education; how did they previously determining how much funds would go to health and education? I glad they have one in place now.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Katrice,
ReplyDeleteWhat a powerful post! Your post affirms my opinion that we, as early childhood professionals, need to remain focused on the global picture. While we are indeed blessed here in America to deal with issues such as standards and achievement gaps, others around the world are dealing with issues such as saving the lives of children in the first place. I agree with you that it is mind boggling to think of an assessment tool or an EC system to accommodate 770 different languages. Thanks for sharing.
Katrice,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your post, on The Zambian Early Childhood Program Development Project. It is very sad to know despite all the high number of health issues and deaths in young children that there has never been any research or studies conducted until now. And I to found it also very puzzling that up until now with so many different languages present that there hasn't been any assessments in place yet. But at least now with the help of Harvard's University they have implemented, The Zambian Child Assessment, and the children and families there will get the help and resources they are in need of to ensure the health and lives of all these children. Great job!
Sylvia