Sharing Web Resources

UNICEF where I started to deepen my knowledge about early childhood education has provided resources and helps children around the world tremendously. 

We cannot say that COVID-19 is causing problems and changes to people around the world. Schools have been closed for a long period of time and children have to do homeschool instead. I have found an article that is interesting and helpful from the UNICEF website regarding the COVID-19 and the parenting tips

Coronavirus (COVID-19) parenting tips 

Expert tips to help you deal with COVID-19 parenting challenges.

https://www.unicef.org/media/67211/file

Some insights into this...

Talking about COVID-19 Be willing to talk. 

They will already have heard something. Silence and secrets do not protect our children. Honesty and openness do. Think about how much they will understand. You know them best.

The one-on-one time during COVID-19 

Can’t go to work? Schools closed? Worried about money? It is normal to feel stressed and overwhelmed. School shutdown is also a chance to make better relationships with our children and teenagers. One-on-One time is free and fun. It makes children feel loved and secure and shows them that they are important.

Ideas with your baby/toddler Copy their facial expression and sounds. Sing songs, make music with pots and spoons. Stack cups or blocks. Tell a story, read a book, or share pictures.

Learning through play 

Millions of children face school closure and isolation in their own homes. This tip is about learning through play – something that can be fun for all ages! Types of play 

There are so many different types of play that can be both fun AND educational. Language, numbers, objects, drama, and music games give children opportunities to explore and express themselves in a safe and fun way.

Check if they are experiencing or spreading stigma 

The outbreak of coronavirus has brought with it numerous reports of racial discrimination around the world, so it’s important to check that your children are neither experiencing nor contributing to bullying. 

Explain that coronavirus has nothing to do with what someone looks like, where they are from or what language they speak. If they have been called names or bullied at school, they should feel comfortable telling an adult whom they trust. 

Remind your children that everyone deserves to be safe at school. Bullying is always wrong and we should each do our part to spread kindness and support each other.

 As I started to learn more about the quality of Children through UNICEF, they provide lots of resources and studies to reduce the inequity of education for children. Here is one of many interesting reports that caught my attention and I would like to share them with you all. 

The Investment Case for Education and Equity 

Education is in crisis worldwide.

https://www.unicef.org/media/50936/file/Investment_Case_for_Education_and_Equity-ENG.pdf

Education is in crisis worldwide. Millions of children, especially the most marginalized, are excluded from school. Many millions more attend school, but they do not learn basic reading and math skills. In addition, international funding for education is on the decline. The Investment Case for Education and Equity explains the global education crisis and outlines solutions. It calls for an increase in funding for education and investments that are more equitable and efficient.

"Challenges in the education sector will not be addressed solely by increased funding. Policies that allow for the equitable targeting of resources and improve the efficiency of overall education spending are needed."

The report establishes three essential ingredients to revive progress in increasing the number of children who can go to school and learn: more funding for education, an equitable approach to resource allocation and more efficient spending on quality education. 

More funding is required from governments and donors, including a greater provision of resources to education during and in the aftermath of conflicts and emergencies. Increased education financing is also more than a humanitarian act: It is an investment in strong economies and in more peaceful, resilient, and equitable societies. 

Challenges in the education sector will not be addressed solely by increased funding. Policies that allow for the equitable targeting of resources and improve the efficiency of overall education spending are needed. With limited resources and a long way to go before every child has access to education and learning, it is essential to identify and support country-specific, cost-effective policies, and interventions. Making sound decisions will require strong evidence and better data. Given the magnitude of the learning crisis, we need strengthened learning assessment systems, particularly for the early grades, and strong accountability structures to improve the way in which investments are transformed into actual learning. 

Providing these ingredients will be challenging. But it is necessary if we want to provide a billion children with their birthright: learning. Because today’s investment in education is tomorrow’s success.

“Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages.” – Article 26, Universal Declaration of Human Rights