1. The Science of ECD: An International Version
Created by Red River College in partnership with the Atkinson Centre for Society and Child Development and the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto, the Science of Early Child Development (ECD) is an on-line multi-media curriculum resource, presented in a flexible, interactive multimedia format, and inspired and informed by the following questions including:
What is the new framework for studying child development? How can we narrow the gap between research and practice?
The resource consists of 5 modules: Developmental Health; Brain Development; Genetics & Experience; Coping & Competence; Communicating & Learning.
Late last year, Red River College approached the CG to determine what level of interest there was in in partnering with Red River College to adapt/revise The Science of Early Child Development for international use. As a result of the high level of interest from CG Partners to pursue this as a CG Joint Initiative we are discussing next steps including to:
· Set up an advisory/working group including the possibility of linking with Majority World Universities, Research and Training institutes that have a strong ECD focus
· Draft proposal(s) to prospective funders
· Prepare for a presentation working session at the CG Annual Consultation including a 'tag-on' meeting of the advisory/working group after the Annual Consultation
We look forward to working collaboratively with Red River College, CG Partners and others to strengthen the Science of ECD resource as an innovative capacity development tool that reflects a diversity of ECD viewpoints and experiences from around the globe, and thereby ultimately contributing to improving the lives of young children and their families globally.
Click here for a Preview
2. Collaboration with Ryerson University's Masters in Early Childhood Studies (MECS)
As some of you may know, Ryerson University's School of Early Childhood is beginning a Masters in Early Childhood (MECS) Studies program in the Fall. In discussions with the Director of the MECS program and Ryerson's Office of International Affairs, a seed fund for students will be created for them to do some international work in ECCD.
Using a part of the CG's administrative fees that Ryerson University receives as overhead, 3 MECS students will be able to receive an award of approx. CAD 3,000 each to work with the CG Working Groups. This is seed money--students can also look for other funds to augment especially if travel is involved. Critieria for eligibility will be
based on the strength of their proposal, grades and a short interview. The students could begin work with the Working Groups during the second term i.e Jan-April 2007 as part of a course/assigment and then an additional 6-8 weeks during the months of May through June 2007 (when courses are finished). As you develop your specific tasks (and some of you have already done this), please consider whether you could use a student for a specific piece of work.
As we settle into a new three-year joint partnership with Ryerson's Faculty of Community Services and the Office of International Affairs, we look forward to working with the new Dean of the Faculty of Community Services, Dr.Usha George who has a strong interest and background in social development as well as extensive international experience and the new Director of the School of ECE, Dr. Rachel Langford whose research interests include teachers' work, history and professional training, the provision of services for children with special needs and the social and economic factors influencing the career paths of early childhood education graduates from college training programs.