Education
EducationThe research and debates surrounding curriculum, pedagogy and assessment are ever-growing and are of constant importance around the globe. With two volumes – containing chapters from researchers whose work has been critical to understanding and building expertise in the field – the SAGE Handbook of Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment focuses on examining how curriculum is treated… Read more
Young children are extremely vulnerable in emergency situations. In a field which typically focuses on the three pillars of humanitarian assistance—food, water, and health—individuals working in emergencies often see a need to do more. They want to do more for very young children and their families, and they seek real-life examples of successful programming that… Read more
This document targets local and international staff running nutrition programmes in emergencies, and local, regional and national authorities and donors involved in such programmes. The note explains why nutrition programmes need to include early childhood development (ECD) activities to maximise the child’s development. It provides practical suggestions as to what simple steps are necessary to create integrated programmes… Read more
Disaster situations can cause immediate and lasting damage to a child’s development. Some children experience such severe stress that their growth and brain development are irreversibly impaired – leading to low attainment at school and poor long-term health. Early childhood care and development (ECCD) in emergencies builds up children’s resilience and provides a context for development… Read more
In both regular and emergency settings, quality early childhood foundations can help ensure a smooth transition to primary school, a better chance of completing basic education, and a route out of poverty and disadvantage. Through positive influences on learning achievement, skills acquisition, and health outcomes, early childhood development (ECD) interventions provide a pathway to the… Read more
In any conflict, young children are particularly vulnerable. A multitude of factors common in these settings have a negative impact on young children, including loss of caregivers; increased risk of malnutrition, physical maiming, and psychosocial threats; and lack of opportunities for early learning and stimulation. This guidance note goes deeper into the theory of change… Read more
This article looks at what influences a child’s ability to be resilient and how supportive caregiver relationships are key to children’s positive development outcomes. Science shows that children who do well despite serious hardship have had at least one stable and committed relationship with a supportive adult. These relationships buffer children from developmental disruption and help… 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
In low-income rural communities, access to early intervention and support services is restricted and resources needed to support children and families are limited. The aim of this study was to explore the role of local nonprofessional women, recruited as community home visitors (CHVs), to assist trained professionals in supporting parents with educating their child in… Read more
Eighty percent of the world’s disabled population live in low income countries, many of these in Africa. The World Health Organization has made early identification of children with disabilities a high priority, especially as early rehabilitation may reduce the impact of impairments. To identify these children and provide basic services, developmental milestones need to be… Read more
Dr Stephanie Bengtsson and Dr Jo Ailwood have been involved in a teacher training research project in Zimbabwe since 2013. This talk looks at how the concept of care can be used to integrate early childhood services. A mapping of age phases across sectors is presented and the meaning of the word ‘care’ is discussed…. Read more