Early learning
Early learning
The ongoing conflict in Syria has taken a devastating toll on the education system; the impact on infrastructure, personnel, resourcing and student attendance is well documented. New DFID-funded research focuses on children’s learning and their exposure to trauma to build a picture of early primary education in opposition-held areas. In combining data on academic performance… Read more
Formative assessments, also known as classroom assessment, continuous assessment or assessment for learning, are those carried out by teachers and students as part of day-to-day activity (Clarke, 2012a). There are multiple interpretations of formative assessment, but most literature takes the broad definition offered by Black and Wiliam (1998, cited in Pryor, 2015: 208): “encompassing all… Read more
In general systematic and rigorous reviews find limited (and little robust) evidence on the effectiveness of interventions to engage parents in their children’s learning in resource-constrained countries – when looking at parental participation in their children’s literacy development and parental engagement with schools. Effects tend to be mixed, with scarce evidence making it hard to… Read more
Brief introduction to the topic Integrated early childhood development (ECD) is a comprehensive starting point for research, policy and service development. As the HEART Early Childhood Development Topic Guide (Woodhead et. al., 2014) points out, ECD spans the period from conception through to eight years and covers a range of sectors including early learning and… Read more
Introduction to the topic This reading pack briefly highlights some of the research and programme work that are showing positive benefits for young children with disabilities in low-resource settings. The international evidence that high quality early childhood development (ECD) programmes benefit all children’s development, life experiences, and life chances is overwhelming. The evidence comes from… Read more
Introduction to the topic The international evidence that high quality early childhood development (ECD) programmes benefit all children’s development, life experiences, and life chances is overwhelming. The evidence comes from studies of all kinds, including well-known large quantitative longitudinal studies (e.g. High/Scope Perry studies in the USA and the work of Heckman at http://heckmanequation.org/) to… Read more
Millions of children around the world are living through conflict, violence and insecurity. With emergencies and protracted crises on the rise, UNICEF is committed to safeguarding children’s development and contributing to resilient and sustainable societies. Recognising the interconnectedness of social development and peace articulated in the new Sustainable Development Goals, UNICEF is working with partners… Read more
This working paper from the National Scientific Council on the Developing Child defines the concept of “toxic stress”—what happens when children experience severe, prolonged adversity without adult support. It discusses how significant adversity early in life can alter a child’s capacity to learn and adapt to stressful situations, as well as how sensitive and responsive caregiving… Read more
Early childhood development (ECD) in the West Bank and Gaza is compromised by serious deficiencies in the quality of and access to programmes and services – among which are low enrollment, inadequate facilities, inexperienced teachers, reliance on inappropriate rote learning methods and limited parental involvement or understanding among families of the importance of good ECD… Read more
Introduction The international evidence that high quality early childhood development (ECD) programmes benefit all children’s development, life experiences, and life chances, is overwhelming. The evidence comes from studies of all kinds, including well-known large quantitative longitudinal studies (e.g. High/Scope Perry studies in the USA and the work of Heckman, at http://heckmanequation.org/) to more localised qualitative… Read more
Globally, young children bear the greatest burden of poverty, disease, neglect, and lack of educational opportunities. This volume’s goal is to promote evidence-based policies for advancing the positive development of young children everywhere, with a specific focus on developing countries. It brings scientific knowledge about early child development (ECD) in both developed and developing countries… Read more