Defining and Implementing Early Learning Standards

NCCF is working with UNICEF to assist a diverse group of developing countries create and implement nationally accepted indicators of early child development. NCCF has partnered with six nations to help each develop its own set of indicators reflecting their national priorities. NCCF is facilitating the development of psychosocial indicators and helping the countries come to an understanding of what they can measure, maintain, implement, and monitor in terms of what young children (ages 0 – 5) are expected to know and be able to do. To date, over 45  countries in all regions of the world have working with the TC team to develop such standards.

Standards, once developed and validated, are used as the basis for professional development of teachers, curriculum development, parenting education and support programs, formative assessment and national monitoring and evaluations.  As such, the standards are more than a paper document; they have the power to transform and integrate early learning and development.  Globally, this initiative has produced benefits for countless children, families, teachers, schools, and communities.  For the researchers and fellows at NCCF, this project opens up invaluable prospects of working in the global community of child development professionals and policy-makers. For Teachers College, this provides an opportunity for individuals around the world who are interested in early development and education to understand the scope of the College’s work and its commitments globally.

Funding Source: UNICEF and Individual Countries.

Contact: Sharon Lynn Kagan, Ed.D.