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October 2016 |
The Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Education, Dr Heather Cateau and the Director of the School of Education, Dr Jennifer Yamin-Ali, delivered opening remarks on the occasion. Dr Sabeerah Abdul-Majied, coordinator of the Bachelor of Education, Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme, chaired the event. She welcomed 24 participants to the one day workshop entitled A Day of Language and Literacy which was facilitated by ECLC members who volunteered their time and expertise for the workshop. In her address Dean Cateau praised the launch of the Caravan and the professional development workshop. She advised that the university was concerned about student performance in Mathematics and English. She also stated that the concern was not just a university problem but a national problem at all levels of the education system. The dean was of the view that early childhood educators have an important role to play in the process of preparing students for university success. She added that “we can and must do better”. She recommended that all must share a common vision for education. Dr Cateau ended her address by thanking the early childhood teachers, primary school teachers and the parents who attended the workshop. Dr Yamin-Ali in her address expressed delight at seeing, “the wheels on the bus go round and round” as The Caravan was launched. She reiterated that the early childhood sector is a significant part of the education system as it laid the foundation for children’s learning. She told participants, “Little children need you and we need you to provide what children need from us”. She informed the participants that they were really fortunate to be part of the first workshop. She thanked Dr Abdul-Majied for her vision and looked forward to exciting days ahead for The Caravan. The workshop was designed to enhance strategies for teaching language and literacy to young learners, particularly the most vulnerable. Participants learned about language and literacy goals and standards. They also participated in reading, writing and comprehension activities for young children. Participants appreciated the initiative and eagerly anticipate the next Caravan event which rolls out to Trincity Mall to showcase children’s artwork. The Caravan may be in your backyard soon! |
The Early Childhood Caravan was launched at the St. Augustine Campus of The UWI, School of Education on Saturday, September 10, 2016. This project is an initiative of the Early Childhood Learning Community (ECLC), a group of past and present UWI students and lecturers, who are passionate about making a difference in the lives of children throughout Trinidad and Tobago. The Caravan’s mission is to support young children’s development and learning through community outreach activities which promote developmentally appropriate practices. The Caravan was launched with a workshop for early childhood teachers.