EARLY CHILDHOOD and PRESCHOOL EDUCATION
EDUCATION PRESCOLAIRE



A Fairer Start

Set in Northern Portugal, with a population of 12,000 dispersed over mountains, where farming is done mainly by women, this film shows how, in 1985, an early childhood educator and a social worker set about helping young children in communities where illiteracy, alcoholism and malnutrition are common problems. As a result, a specially designed curriculum was developed to help families with this type of problem. The achievements of this small community show how successful an interdisciplinary approach to child development can be.

(early childhood education; alcohol; health education; parent participation; community participation; educational programmes)

[Code: 0060] Country:  Portugal
Producer:  Aga Khan Foundation
1989, English, 13', VHS/PAL


Not Only the Children

In Kenya early childhood education is developing in a unique way with a community movement that builds on local traditions, customs and languages. In Muslim regions Koranic schools have an integrated approach. The Kenya Institute of Education National Centre for Early Childhood Education gives advice, guidance and on-the-job training to district centres, where the curriculum is built up by communities and trainers working together.

(early childhood education; community participation; inservice teacher education)

[Code: 0140] Country: Kenya
Producer:  Bernard Van Leer Foundation; Kenya Institute of Education
1989, English, 36', VHS/PAL


JIP in Gansu

The Joint Innovative Project (JIP) involves Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Korea, India, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka and China represented by Gansu Province in China. JIP in Gansu comprises 4 important fields: developing pre-schools; improving teaching materials and methodologies; evaluating achievement of children; training materials; involving community and parents in primary education.

(early childhood education; teaching materials; teacher education; teaching methods; educational programmes; developing countries)

[Code: 0051] Country: China
Producer:  Gansu Institute of Educational Research
1990, English, 52', VHS/SECAM


Adela

The Bernard van Leer Foundation currently supports Early Childhood Care and Education projects in 40 developing and industrialized countries to enable disadvantaged children to benefit fully from education and social development opportunities. In Andahuaylas in the Apurimac province, Peru, the Early Childhood Care and Education Centre prepares children of indigenous farmers for entry into primary school. Adela, wife of a local farmer and mother of three, has been selected as Early Childhood Care and Education teacher by the community.

(early childhood education; community participation; community schools; rural areas; rural women)

[Code: 0056] Country: Peru
Producer:  Bernard Van Leer Foundation
1990, English, 24', VHS/PAL


Foundation of Human Learning

Learning begins at birth and the period from 0-6 years is very formative for children who need a stimulating environment, encouragement and the chance to experiment in order to reach their full potential. As children grow older, carers must be sensitive to this fact. Parents who help their children along the exciting journey of discovery share in the joy.

(early childhood education; parent child relationship; child welfare)

[Code: 0128] Country: Interregional
Producer:  UNICEF
1990, English, 17', VHS/PAL


Is There Life Before Primary School?

Pre-school care and education offer long term benefits to children. Those children receiving such care will in turn be better parents. This film reviews projects in many countries which involve pre-school children and their parents in learning and shows activities in school and the community. Education begins at home and continues in the community.

(preschool education; parent child relationship)

[Code: 0076] Country: Interregional
Producer:  Video Hilversum
1990, English, 1990, 16', VHS/PAL

First Steps

This film, prepared for the second meeting of the Education for All Forum held in New Delhi 8-10 September, 1993, argues that learning begins at birth and that the first formative years of life are crucial in the development of an individual's ability to learn throughout life. To ignore the needs of children before they enter primary school is to jeopardize the success of educational outcomes in formal school systems. Early childhood programmes in the Education for All strategy will lead to higher returns on investment in formal education and therefore make financial as well as educational sense.

(early childhood education; basic education; educational systems; educational programmes)

[Code: 0057] Country: India
Producer:  Aga Khan Foundation
1993, English, 8', VHS/PAL


Non-formal Initial Education in Mexico

Recognizing that family background and early childhood socialization are key factors to a child's capacity to function in any learning environment, the Mexican Government in co-operation with UNICEF has launched a non-formal initial education programme for children under 5 designed to develop physical, cognitive, emotional and social potential in the very young to prepare them to benefit fully from their later formal schooling. The programme operates through local promoters, selected from the community, responsible for training parents and resource persons. The programme was designed to be implemented at a national level. In 1989 it reached 210.000 children in some 5.200 communities.

(early childhood education; community participation; parent participation; educational programmes)

[Code: 0063] Country:  Mexico
Producer:  UNICEF; Secretariat of Public Education
1993, English, 10', VHS/NTSC


The SERVOL Experience

In co-operation with the government, SERVOL runs pre-schools and adolescent training centres, supported by the community. SERVOL pre-schools are characterized by community choice of pre-school teachers, and involvement of parents in school activities. The objective of SERVOL adolescent training programmes is to teach young people, who have been neglected or abused, professional skills, and motivate them to take control of their lives.

(preschool education; educational programmes; preprimary teachers education; parent participation)

[Code: 0081] Country: Trinidad and Tobago
Producer:  Bernard Van Leer Foundation
1993, English, 41', VHS/PAL


SERVOL in CNN World Report

In 1994, Servol's founder, Father Pantin was awarded the alternative Nobel Prize (the Best Livelihood Award) for his work in social development in Trinidad and Tobago. This CNN spot illustrates some of the organizations' many activities.

(preschool education; educational programmes; teacher education)

[Code: 0150] Country: Trinidad and Tobago
Producer:  UNESCO; CNN
1994, English, 3', VHS/SECAM