Page 4 - LESSION 18.pmd

Involvement of Parents and Community

three and six years, for whom it is mainly intended. Most parents who send their
children to ECCE centres or preschools have altogether different ideas about
Notes the purpose and implications of ECE. For example, the parents whose children
are going to an Anganwadi think it is a place for getting supplementary nutrition.
Then, there are such parents who think that they would get some free time for
themselves and thus, they send their children to preschool. Yet, some parents
send their children for formal learning of reading, writing and mathematics. Such
parents also pressurise the preschool teachers to do more formal teaching that
involves rote learning. The purpose and objective of a high quality preschool
is not to teach for formal learning for reading, writing and number work but
help young children learn through developmentally appropriate practices/
activities informally.
Children develop in the warmth of their families and communities that are
characterised by diversity in family composition, languages spoken, their own
religious belief systems and cultural practices. Families serve as the primary
context for their children’s development. Therefore, preschools and Anganwadis
comprise a vital context that in turn impacts children’s development through
quality care and early education as provided in the centres. Resources from
parents and the community are essential for creating an emotionally supportive
environment in which children develop optimally. We need to understand that
communities that adequately support parenting as well as early childhood
education at the right time, contribute significantly to the quality of life of all
people in the community. This allows everyone in the community to grow and
develop socially and economically. Therefore, it becomes important for preschool
and primary teachers to guide and educate the community in general and parents
in particular and to bring about awareness of the advantages of quality early
childhood care and education.

INTEXT QUESTIONS 18.1

State whether the following statements are true or false:
(a) Children can only benefit when each partner-parents, teacher and community
talk and listen to each other.
(b) Parents of high income families do not find ECE necessary for three to
six year old children.

(c) Most parents who send their children to ECCE centres have different ideas
about the purpose and importance of early childhood education.
(d) It is not important for preschool and primary teachers to guide and educate
the community and parents.

150 EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION