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Importance of ECD in Improving Literacy and Language Acquisition

Importance of ECD in Improving Literacy and Language Acquisition . Quality in Education Summit Kigali RWANDA 2011. Lynette Okengo, PhD ECD Consultant, UNICEF ESARO. What is ECD?.

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Importance of ECD in Improving Literacy and Language Acquisition

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  1. Importance of ECD in Improving Literacy and Language Acquisition Quality in Education Summit Kigali RWANDA 2011 Lynette Okengo, PhD ECD Consultant, UNICEF ESARO

  2. What is ECD? Comprehensive programming for all young children from birth and throughout infancy; during the preschool years; as well as during the transition to school (Birth – 8 years). Quality in Education Summit Kigali RWANDA 2011

  3. ECD Services include… • Parenting programs • Early learning and development (play groups, kindergarten, nursery: home or centre based) incl. Pre-school/R-class & early primary (Class 1&2) • Child and maternal health and nutrition • Early intervention programs • Child protection programs Quality ECD services seek to support holistic, inclusive and comprehensive child development Quality in Education Summit Kigali RWANDA 2011

  4. Why Invest in Early Language and Literacy Development? At Birth 6 Years Old 14 Years Old The early years present the best opportunity. Six is too late

  5. Why Start Early? Empirical evidence suggests: • Multiplier effects • Higher rates of returns on investment • Higher efficiency of education system • Early intervention cheaper than treatment Quality in Education Summit Kigali RWANDA 2011

  6. Children who start behind, stay behind Vocabulary Age (months) Source: Stanovich, 1986 Source: Hart & Risley, 1995 Children’s vocabulary measured in kindergarten is one of the best predictors of reading comprehension in grade 3 &4

  7. Early Language, Literacy, Social and Emotional Development Empirical evidence suggests that poor language and literacy development related to: • Reduced social interaction (Cohen, 2005) • Lower self esteem (Aunola et al 2002) • Lower motivation to read (Morgan & Fuchs, 2007) • Poor educational outcomes, higher rates of unemployment, teenage pregnancies (Silverstein et al, 2002) Quality in Education Summit Kigali RWANDA 2011

  8. Example: Early Literacy Project- Mozambique • Teacher training • Community mobilization • Reading promotion • Distribution of books Average Writing level at End line and Grain by Group Concepts About Print (CAP) and Intervention Group Average Skills Gain by Reading at Home

  9. More Examples • Parenting program in Columbia resulted in better language scores (Waber, 1981) • Pre-school experience in Peru resulted in significantly higher performance in first grade language (Cueto, 1999) • MRC ECD program in Kenya, Zanzibar and Uganda resulted in better language skills and grade 4 achievement than control group children (Mwaura, 2005, 2006) • Community based ECD and community support in Burma resulted in better performance in language, mathematics and thinking skills (Save the Children, 2007)

  10. Role of Parents/caregivers/teachers Ensuring the availability of a rich language and literacy environment through provision of: • Developmentally appropriate language and literacy materials • Opportunities for various learning activities • Quality caregiver-child engagements Quality in Education Summit Kigali RWANDA 2011

  11. Policy Implications • Advocacy on importance of early literacy and language including importance of early identification and intervention • Equitable access to quality holistic ECD services to ensure increased access by poor and marginalized • Standards and guidelines for effective implementation • Strengthening capacity and partnerships with parents, teachers, caregivers & all professionals working with families Quality in Education Summit Kigali RWANDA 2011

  12. Thank you Quality in Education Summit Kigali RWANDA 2011

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