First Learning Steps (FLS) - MacroProject
Project Description
Is a comprehensive early childhood care and education model that promotes the rights of children in their early years and fosters local development in the urban marginal areas of the country in which it operates, under a basic principle of co-responsibility between all the actors involved. The main objective is to encourage the comprehensive development of children, families and communities through the pedagogical and psycho-social processes and by influencing public policy.
Level: Preschool
Starting Date: 2009
Direct Beneficiaries: 1,540 children, 1,230 families, 120 pregnant mothers, 65 community mothers, 11 additional team members (pedagogues, social workers and teachers)
Regions: 21 centers (11 in Magdalena and 10 in Nariño)
Partners: Genesis Foundation, Corporación Infancia y Desarrollo (CID), Colombian Institute for Family Welfare (ICBF), Departamento para la Prosperidad Social (DPS)
Justification
Studies prove that development of intelligence occurs mainly between 3 –5 years of age. Investing in early childhood education increases the children’s opportunities to be successful in elementary school and improves the efficiency of education in the long run. Investing in early education will decrease the public expenses for social assistance caused by students dropping out of the education system, repeating grades, or joining illegal activities. Early education programs help decrease gender problems and socio-economic inequalities.
Methodology
The model has 5 main components:
COMPREHENSIVE ATTENTION TO CHILDREN: support their organic development by strengthening their socio-cultural identity and their basic learning competencies and social skills. It also provides a nutritional component in order to guarantee their rights.
ATTENTION TO PREGNANT AND BREAST-FEEDING MOTHERS: strengthen their role as new or soon-to-be mothers so that they can develop the appropriate skills to raise their children. The program pays special attention to care during pregnancy and early stimulation.
STRENGHTHENING FAMILY SYSTEMS: Through reflective spaces and accompaniment to the families, the program promotes positive relationships and environments that contribute to the comprehensive development of children. This is relevant because allows families to recognize their homes as the main educational and formative space for their children and consequently respond to their role as principal guarantors of the fulfillment of their rights.
WORK WITH THE COMMUNITY: Position early childhood education in community organizations, public and private institutions to promote actions towards the restitution and fulfillment of the rights of children.
TEAM QUALIFICATION: The project has a team of teachers, community mothers, social workers and psychologists. The team in empowered in methodologies, playful and theoretical knowledge and other tools that allows them to understand the educational processes in early childhood, transform their teaching methods and foster the comprehensive development of children.