In recent decades, a global consensus has emerged that acknowledges that Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) requires systemic, cross-sectoral approaches. In this context, integrated early childhood approaches are flourishing in South America. Although these policies have been successful in many aspects, ECEC provision in the region…

This report examines four not-for-profit school chains, run by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in low-income contexts. These are Fe y Alegría, the Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee (better known by its acronym BRAC), Gyan Shala and Zambia Open Community Schools. Three of these organisations offer education at no cost (Fe y Alegría, BRAC…

Children begin learning about gender stereotypes as early as age two. The pre-primary education system does not always deliver on its potential to tackle and address harmful gender stereotypes while they are being absorbed by the youngest learners. All components of the pre-primary system have a role to play in breaking down these stereotypes.…

Preschool education is fundamental to shape children's aptitudes and skills in early life. Ecuador is following a global education trend for starting-up mathematical thinking at earlier development ages, but this is only reflected in vehement curricular changes that are not supported properly. As a result, the safeguarding of a good children's…

Recent studies have shown that a solid educational foundation is of great importance to children's lives and their ability to grow and adapt to the demands of a changing world. An increased demand for education and care programs for preschool children has evolved and since most governments do not provide support at this level, the United Nations…

Presents two interviews describing the creation of the Colegio Menor in Quito, Ecuador, a bilingual renaissance school that teaches Ecuadorian children both Spanish and English. The first interview describes an American university professor's experiences in helping design and develop the school. The second interview is with an Ecuadorian preschool…

Surveyed preschool administrators, teachers, and parents from four countries about what constitutes developmentally appropriate preschool practice. Found that respondents from Finland scored high on all survey items. Administrators and teachers from the United States scored higher than U.S. parents, who preferred a more formal, academic approach.…

Describes socioeconomic conditions in Ecuador challenging optimal child development. Describes operation of a preschool in a poor neighborhood and discusses visits to an orphanage and to a special education facility during collaboration with the parochial leadership, medical personnel, and educators in the town of Quito. Reflects on successful…

This article provides a case study of monocultural personnel preparation, discusses various cultural beliefs about disability, and examines the effect of the dualities and dichotomies of parent/professional beliefs about childhood disabilities. In addition, it discusses intervention concerns in developing countries such as Turkey, Ecuador, and…

The four 1998 issues of the journal on literacy education, entirely in Spanish, include these articles: "The Inevitable Radical Weakness of Language: Some Reflections about Forming Readers and Citizens" (Daniel Goldin); "Relationships among Reading and Writing, Thematic Units, Learning Through Research...In Search of Effective…

The U. S. Office of Education has undertaken the preparation of a series of basic studies on education in a number of Central and South American countries under the sponsorship of the Interdepartmental Committee on Scientific and Cultural Cooperation. This series of studies is part of a program to promote understanding of educational conditions in…