Early Childhood Development Initiative

Ba Futuru’s Early Childhood Development Initiative has been moving forward with exciting new elements over the last few months.

·       After consultation with parents a Portuguese volunteer was introduced once a week to support children’s transition to school; weekly yoga sessions began (lead by a parent to promote parent participation and children’s physical development); and a social competence/behavior management policy was created to clearly demonstrate expectations of children and teachers. 

·       In April two capacity building sessions were held on social competence/behavior management and a third was held to discuss the new policy. Teachers were asked to demonstrate an understanding of appropriate ways of responding to children’s needs and supporting their emotional and social development. Class rules were developed in a simple form and explained to the children. We have since observed the children discussing the rules regularly and using them to support their own needs and the needs of others.

·       In May we held two capacity building sessions for educators. The first was on numeracy and literacy (focusing on the environment, learning through play and reviewing routines) while the second session was on respectful environments (considering why the environment is so important and the role of teachers in educating children on their responsibility for people, places and things). 

·       In June a capacity building workshop was held on phonics and practical tips for teaching language development.

·       A parent session in June enabled several parents to comment on how impressed they were with their children’s new empathy skills, noting examples where their preschool children told siblings and parents to treat people nicely and demonstrating how to do it when conflicts arose at home.  

·       Summer camp also began in June with more than 20 new enrollments, increasing interest in both the two year old Dili Sprouts program and in the preschool term beginning in September. It also helped to bring in much needed funds for supporting low income children to attend the preschool.

We really appreciate your donations!

What’s new:

Ba Futuru early childhood team has been spent the last several months working hard to develop a new parenting initiative. It will equip current and future parents of preschool-aged children with an understanding of child-centred learning and practical ways to be actively engaged in their children’s educational development impacting children across Timor-Leste.

Learning life skills Ba Futuru’s Preschool:

We place high importance on eco-literacy and social-literacy at our preschool.  This involves learning alongside others through nature play to foster peaceful, co-operative learning outcomes for children.  It is the teachers’ aspirations for children to be creative, happy, productive members of their community.  Recently the children and adults have planted seeds, cared for them, transported seedlings to our garden and harvested vegetables.  Children now understand that food doesn’t just appear at the table, it is grown, tended to, harvested and then cooked by many caring hands.  Gardening children are focused, communicating, and working together towards a common goal.  By giving children knowledge and skills for caring for the environment we will create a better future for our children. 

Through the opportunity to attend preschool children not only develop skills for reading and writing but also valuable skills for life. 

Match your gift:

Gifting a child a scholarship is much more than preparing them for school.  We invite you to continue to support the most important early years in a child’s life. 

Bonus day:
EVERY donation will be matched on Global Giving on May 13th between 9:00 am EDT and 23:59 pm EDT. 

Thank you for your contributions!