The importance of educare in the development of young children should not be underestimated,
and it is for this reason that it is so integral to social development in poor and disadvantaged
communities. Clearly lacking in these contexts, educare whether undertaken by parents or
institutions, is a given in more affluent social groups and this further emphasises the gap
between rich and poor. In order for it to be prioritised better, its definition needs clear delineation
and its significance in a social development context requires explanation.
Educare Defined
Educare can be defined as the combination of education and care. It is the process through which
adults help small children to begin to understand the world around them. Instilling basic
knowledge in children such as the names of objects that they commonly encounter, colours, and
number and letter recognition equips them with the tools they need to get an educational
head-start, to learn how to learn and to make sense of their environment through
communication.
The Importance of Educare
Experts argue that the importance of educare in any child's development lies in its role in moulding
children into adults that have the tools to be well integrated in their communities socially,
economically and culturally. Educare, traditionally a practice undertaken by parents in the home,
has been dramatically impacted by a number of social factors. These include urbanisation and
industrialisation which have been cited as key factors in the demise of the family unit. Off-shoots
of this include the degeneration of traditional child care practices, the increase in the number of
single parent families and the ever-growing number of women in the workforce.
and it is for this reason that it is so integral to social development in poor and disadvantaged
communities. Clearly lacking in these contexts, educare whether undertaken by parents or
institutions, is a given in more affluent social groups and this further emphasises the gap
between rich and poor. In order for it to be prioritised better, its definition needs clear delineation
and its significance in a social development context requires explanation.
Educare Defined
Educare can be defined as the combination of education and care. It is the process through which
adults help small children to begin to understand the world around them. Instilling basic
knowledge in children such as the names of objects that they commonly encounter, colours, and
number and letter recognition equips them with the tools they need to get an educational
head-start, to learn how to learn and to make sense of their environment through
communication.
The Importance of Educare
Experts argue that the importance of educare in any child's development lies in its role in moulding
children into adults that have the tools to be well integrated in their communities socially,
economically and culturally. Educare, traditionally a practice undertaken by parents in the home,
has been dramatically impacted by a number of social factors. These include urbanisation and
industrialisation which have been cited as key factors in the demise of the family unit. Off-shoots
of this include the degeneration of traditional child care practices, the increase in the number of
single parent families and the ever-growing number of women in the workforce.
The Case of the Disadvantaged Communities
This is particularly true in disadvantaged communities where even in families where both parents
are present, both parents need to work leaving little time for the education and stimulation that
is integral to their child's development. In these communities educare has an even greater role to
play because children need to be compensated for what they are lacking in terms of their home
lives.
Grass Roots Initiatives with a Lot of Passion but No Capacity
Sadly however, while educare is often prioritised by the communities, they often lack the resources
to stay afloat. In addition, educare centres face a number of formidable challenges that seem to
render their plight a hopeless one. With the little that they have, educare centres confront
malnutrition, a lack of basic services and support, as well as the ongoing onslaught of HIV/AIDS, on
a daily basis.
Many of these centres are grass-roots initiatives that are indicative of the commitment being
shown by parents and educators within these communities. However, despite their best
intentions, many are doomed to fail because of the degree to which they are resource deprived.
Were this not the case, these initiatives would have the potential to make a significant
difference in their communities at the level at which it is most necessary. The long term benefits
of this, both for the individual children benefiting from this and for the communities as a whole are
innumerable.
The difficulty then lies in finding the financial and material resources to assist the more active
educare centres in such a way as to make their continuance viable. Through donors and the
charities that they support, this is possible. With financial backing, educare centres can invest in
proper teachers, proper equipment and resources and all the implements necessary to make a
child's early education successful, so as to equip them adequately for formal schooling, and render
them productive members of the societies from which they come.
Acknowledgement, Eric Atmore: "A Community Development Approach to Early Childhood Educare
Intervention in Disadvantaged Communities" (1993)
About the author:
Breadline Africa is a charity organisation that acts as a non-profit middleman between donors and
organisations that require aid. With a number of projects and areas, Breadline Africa supports all
aspects of community development in South and Southern Africa. Donate Now to do your bit for
children.
This is particularly true in disadvantaged communities where even in families where both parents
are present, both parents need to work leaving little time for the education and stimulation that
is integral to their child's development. In these communities educare has an even greater role to
play because children need to be compensated for what they are lacking in terms of their home
lives.
Grass Roots Initiatives with a Lot of Passion but No Capacity
Sadly however, while educare is often prioritised by the communities, they often lack the resources
to stay afloat. In addition, educare centres face a number of formidable challenges that seem to
render their plight a hopeless one. With the little that they have, educare centres confront
malnutrition, a lack of basic services and support, as well as the ongoing onslaught of HIV/AIDS, on
a daily basis.
Many of these centres are grass-roots initiatives that are indicative of the commitment being
shown by parents and educators within these communities. However, despite their best
intentions, many are doomed to fail because of the degree to which they are resource deprived.
Were this not the case, these initiatives would have the potential to make a significant
difference in their communities at the level at which it is most necessary. The long term benefits
of this, both for the individual children benefiting from this and for the communities as a whole are
innumerable.
The difficulty then lies in finding the financial and material resources to assist the more active
educare centres in such a way as to make their continuance viable. Through donors and the
charities that they support, this is possible. With financial backing, educare centres can invest in
proper teachers, proper equipment and resources and all the implements necessary to make a
child's early education successful, so as to equip them adequately for formal schooling, and render
them productive members of the societies from which they come.
Acknowledgement, Eric Atmore: "A Community Development Approach to Early Childhood Educare
Intervention in Disadvantaged Communities" (1993)
About the author:
Breadline Africa is a charity organisation that acts as a non-profit middleman between donors and
organisations that require aid. With a number of projects and areas, Breadline Africa supports all
aspects of community development in South and Southern Africa. Donate Now to do your bit for
children.
| Educare - Playing is Childs' Work by Lyndi Lawson |
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