RESEARCH AROUND THE WORLD

I researched the Early Development Virtual University (ECDVU) Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) topics. I read about the topic of "Assessment of Interaction and Stimulation in Single Mothers with Low Income Families". This study was used to create guidelines that will initiate a closer bond between parents and their children, identify and stimulate children living in single parent homes and to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the childcare givers in Malawi. Another topic was "Utilizing Indigenous Stories in the Promotion of Early Childhood Development Programs in Uganda". This project stressed the importance o storytelling in child development much like we in the United States stress reading storybooks to children even while in the womb. There were topics of encouragement for fathers to get involved with their children's care, model training programs in Ghana and assessing school readiness in Kenya. I was surprised by the fact that the topics were so similar to the norms of what we research here in the Unites States. I have never been to Africa but when I think of Africa I mainly think of rural areas with not much emphasis on education. Clearly this is not the case. Africa is thriving and trying to make childhood education a major issue. They are developing teacher training curriculums and initiating programs focused on supporting childcare programs for working families. Education is the key to making a better society. I am glad that Africa is moving in the right direction......................http://www.ecdvu.org/ssa/major_reports.php