Vietnam
history is well known because of its war with the United States. I chose
Vietnam because it is a country that is continuously rebuilding itself and one
of the fastest growing economies in Asia. Vietnam is considered to be a lower
middle-income country. Despite this growth, children in rural areas continue to
face many challenges. Conditions beyond children’s control continue to deny
some of them a fair chance to achieve their potential. Children and families
have to deal with the effects of climate change. The gap has increased between
wealthy and poor, with many children left behind, lacking necessities such
clean water, proper nutrition, quality healthcare and inclusive education. A
lack of access to clean water and sanitation, combined with long periods of
drought, means children are susceptible to malnutrition and disease. They don’t
receive adequate health care, and there is a high number of deaths from
preventable diseases every day. One in
five children in Vietnam's rural areas does not attend school(UNICEF,2011)
The
emotional well-being of children rests in everyone coming together to provide
the necessary resources to fight the many challenges and critical issues
impacting the millions of children who are not benefitting equally from
prosperity in the country. Children from ethnic minorities in Vietnam face
exclusion and few opportunities because they don’t speak Vietnamese as a first
language. This plays a role in them not achieving the levels of education to
help them get out of poverty. Focusing on trade and business development
should not replace investment in children’s well-being and development,
particularly in hard to reach rural areas where ethnic minorities live(UNICEF, 2011)
It
doesn’t matter what country you live in or where you come from; early childhood
is important for cognitive, social, emotional and physical development. A
child’s brain is developing during these years and if developing brains they
lack some of their basic needs to survive their development may be thwarted. To
ensure optimal brain development requires children need a stimulating environment, the proper nutrition
and social interaction with people who are entrusted with their care. As
educators, we play a crucial part in partnerships with parents to ensure their
need are met(UNICEF, n. d. ).
References
References
Overview
- UNICEF DATA. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://data.unicef.org/topic/early-childhood-development/overview
UNICEF
(2011). Retrieved from: http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/
Hi Anita,
ReplyDeleteVietnam is definitely a country of poor extremes. My father often talked about Vietnam during the war and how children was doing unimaginable things simply to survive. He presented us with this analogy to make us conscious of the things we as Americans take for granted.
Yvonne
Yvonne , thanks for the feedback. So often we take for granted the opportunities that what we have in our country.
DeleteAnita
Hello Anita, enjoyed reading,
ReplyDelete“Facilities for early childhood education in Vietnam consist of kindergarten, the nursery, the pre-primary school, and since all of these fall under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Education and Training, the administration of early childhood education is centrally controlled (Hamano, 2010).” War is an ongoing struggle in places like Vietnam; children are more than likely will not get an educational experience that we here in the U. S. and other places would get. There are small numbers in early learning that get a chance to even attend; in which are usually done are provided by the grandparents or neighborhoods that surround them. “In an anti-bias learning community, all children are equitably nurtured and everyone is responsible for everyone’s learning and well-being (Derman-Sparks & Edwards, 2010, p 125).” In this country, that is what happens; as they fight for the progress in education for the children.
“A new education law regulating the basic framework of the education system was established in Vietnam in 2005. According to the new law, early childhood education covers "infants from the age of three months to six years (Hamano, 2010)." Vietnam is trying to regulate their aim, their objectives and goals in reading is like all others; to help their children grow and develop physically, emotionally, intellectually, as well, ethically. In all as we explore the early learning process this is for all children; it shapes their personalities and prepare them for school entry. As educators across the world, our responsibilities are to see that our children are in a safe environment, but for countries like Vietnam where poverty is never ending and children are succumbing to wars, malnutrition, little health provisions and so much more; is hard to bare and a challenge that is for all to joy in.
References
Derman-Sparks, L., & Edwards, J. O. (2010). Anti-Bias education for young children and ourselves: Learning About Different Abilities & Fairness (Chap. 10, p 125). National Association for the Education of Young Children
Hamano, T. (2010, May 21). Vietnam – Trends in early childhood education in Vietnam: The Socialization of Education and the Management of Disparity. Retrieved from: http://www.childresearch.net/projects/ecec/2010_04.html
Louisa,
DeleteThank you for the additional information about Vietnam and their education system. I enjoyed reading and gained some new insight into their program.
Hi Anita,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your post. I didn't realize that Vietnam had as many challenges as you noted. It is very sad when children encounter hardship during their development stage. Although there is resilence it is difficult when children lack the necessary things they need to manage and develop. I just wish one day everyone country that is wealth can help those who are without.