EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AMONG VULNERABLE CHILDREN IN NIGERIA
Keywords:
Early Childhood Education, Child development, Vulnerable childrenAbstract
Vulnerable children are one of the problems of developing countries, especially sub Saharan Africa and Nigeria in particular. They suffer from a lot of problems associated with vulnerability factors such as hunger, lack of access to health and education, physical and psychological abuse, lack of love and affection and negative communities’ attitude towards them. However, giving vulnerable children access to early learning reduces the chance of their being backward among peers while problems related to vulnerability are identified early and interventions are provided. This paper focuses on review of Early Childhood Education (ECE) among the vulnerable children. It also discusses the relationship between ECE and Child development. Furthermore, importance of ECE among vulnerable children as well as factors affecting Early Childhood Education among vulnerable children is discussed. It is concluded that the problem can be addressed and access to ECE by vulnerable children be promoted through series of intervention. The paper therefore recommends among others that there should be access to free basic preventive and curative health, nutrition measures and ECE throughout childhood to reduce vulnerability.
References
Abashula, G; Jibat, N. & Ayele, T. (2014). The situation of orphans and vulnerable children in selected Woredasi and towns in Jimma Zone. International Journal of Sociology and Anthropology. 6(9):246-256, September 2014.
Action for Child Protection Incorporation (2003). The vulnerable child. ACTION for Child Protection, Inc.
Ajayi, H. (2008). Early Childhood Education in Nigeria: a reality or a mirage. Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood, 9(4):375-381.
Akbari, E., & McCuaig, K. (2014) Early Childhood Education Report 2014. Toronto: Ontario Institute for Studies in Education.
Akinrotimi, A.A. & Olowe, P.K (2016). Challenges in Implementation of Early Childhood Education in Nigeria: The Way Forward. Journal of Education and Practice, 7(7): 33-38.
Australian Early Development Index AEDI (2012). A Snapshot of Early Childhood Development in Australia. Retrieved on 12/02/2018 from: http://www.aedi.org.au.
Bechet, Y. & Li, Z. (2010). Asia-Pacific Regional perspectives on Inclusion and ECCE/ ECD. Retrieved on 23/06/2018 from: Singapore: ARNEC. http://www.arnec.net/cos/o.x?ptid
Beelen, N. (2007). Exchange on HIV/AIDS, sexuality and gender. (Newspaper online). Retrieved on 23/06/ from: http://www.exchange-magazine.info
Boston University Center for Global Health and Development & Initiative for Integrated Community Welfare in Nigeria, (2009). Nigeria research situation analysis on orphans and other vulnerable children: Country Brief; Nigeria: United States Agency for International Development.
Elegbeleye, A.O. (2013). Evaluation of support facilities for institutionalized orphans in Nigeria. International Journal of Current Research Vol. 5, Issue, 05, pp.1049-1053.
Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development (FMWASD) Abuja (2008). National Situation Assessment and Analysis on OVC in Nigeria. Abuja: FMWASD
Global Partnership for Children (2012). Equity and inclusion Guide. Retrieved on 24/0602018from: http://www.globalpartnership.org/media/library/Themes/vulnerablegroup/Equity
Goldfeld, S. (2013). The relationship between Early Childhood Education and care and children’s developmental outcomes in Australia. Australia: Centre of Community Child Health Melbourne.
Hayashikawa, M. (2008). Global and regional perspective: making a compelling case for early childhood care and education. In P. puamau and F., Pene (eds). Early Childhood Care and Education in Pacific Institute of Education. Suva: Institute of Education. University of South pacific, 57-83.
Haliye, A. (2017). Assessing the factors influencing eligibility of most vulnerable children for program services in Tanzania: a case of Kishapu Council. Master Dissertation; Open University, Tanzania.
Ibeh, E.N. (2011). Services available for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) in Enugu State. A prograduate diploma project submitted to Department of Social Work University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Online pdf. Retrieved on 15/12/2016.
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. (2002). Orphans and other children made vulnerable by HIV/AIDS: principles and operational guidelines for programming. Geneva: International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
Kamerman, S.B. (2006). A global history of Early Childhood Education and care. Background paper prepared for the Education for All Global Monitoring Report 2007 Strong foundations: UNESCO.
Kershaw P. (2010). The economic costs of early vulnerability in Canada. Canadian Journal of Public Health, 101(3): 8-12.
Kurfi M.H. (2010). Societal responses to the state of Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) in Kana metropolis, Nigeria. M.A Thesis, Centre for International Studies, Ohio University.
Leseman, P.P.M. (2002). Early Childhood education and care for children from low income or minority backgrounds, Oslo: OECD.
Lewis, B. (2018). An overview of early childhood education. ThoghtCo. Retrieved on 1/3/2019 from www.thoughtco.com/early-childhood-education-2081636
Liza, D. (2008). Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Ghana a Contextual Analysis: ECCD Stakeholders Adapting the Safety Net. Master’s degree project. International Educational Development at Teachers College, Columbia University.
Melbourne Institute (2013). Early Bird catches the worm: The causal impact of pre-school participation and teacher qualifications on year 3 National NAPLAN Cognitive Tests, Melbourne Institute Working Paper, 34 Retrieved on 13/10/2013
NAEYC. (2001). NAEYC at 75: 1926–2001. Washington, DC: Author.
Save the Children Federation (2013). Early Childhood Development. Essential Package Foundation Course Manual for Volunteers.
Social Development (FMWASD) (2014), National standards for improving the quality of life of vulnerable children in Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria: FMWASD.
UNESCO. (2009). EFA Global monitoring report: Strong foundations: Early childhood care and education. Paris, France: UNESCO.
United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation and United Nations International Children Emergency Fund (2012). Early Childhood Care and Education. Asia-Pacific End of Decade Notes on Education for All: UNESCO and UNICEF
United Nations International Children Emergency Fund – Nigeria (2007). The status and situation analysis of the implementation of the rights of the children in Nigeria. Lagos: UNICEF
United Nations International Children Emergency Fund (2011). State of the World’s Children. UNICEF: New York
World Bank (2010). Early Childhood counts, Programming Resources for Early Childhood Care and Development. The International Bank for reconstruction and Development/The World Bank on behalf of the consultative Group on ECCD Consortium.
World Bank and UNICEF. (2002). Education and HIV/AIDS: ensuring education access for orphans and vulnerable children. Publisher: United Nations Children's Fund.
World Vision (2008). http://site.worldvision.org/content.nsf/learn/globalissues-aids-testimony. Retrieved on 20/10/2008
