As empowered Early Childhood Education (ECE) teachers, you should always research for the latest development and create dialogue with colleagues to share ideas that matter most to the learning and teaching process of young children.

The University of the South Pacific programme co-ordinator for early childhood education Doctor Lavenia Tiko made this statement during the opening of the early childhood education workshop at Labasa Sangam College yesterday.

“We can do our best in creating learning environments designed to support children’s authentic interests and embrace their sense of wonder, can empower children to be inquisitive, lifelong learners,” Mrs Tiko said.

“Please remember to support our Fijian young children with current early childhood pedagogies.

Create opportunities for young children to question, imagine, think about, reflect upon learning they had for the day.”

“I will reiterate and keep reminding, that empowerment in the learning process of our young Fijian children will only be effective if you take pro-active actions through enabling yourself to learn different curriculum frameworks,” she said.

“This means you do not confine yourself only to the Fijian Mataniciva (pearl) but explore what the other international communities use and take the best to suit your context.

“Exploring the image of children is vital and we need to think about ways in which our pedagogy empowers our young Fijian children to be active and inquisitive learners in the learning environment.”

“The theme for this workshop is ‘Empowering Quality Early Childhood Teachers in this 21st Century’ has come in timely at a time when the changing nature of childhood continues to be questioned by many.

“I believe the theme for the two days workshop has evolved from the desire to advance us on what and how we think and the way we think about what constitutes innovative pedagogies in early learning programs.

“One that will foster active play through enabling spaces and open ended resources as this will in turn empower young children to spark their thinking in creative and imaginative ways.”

Edited by Mohammed Ali

Feedback:  shratikan@fijisun.com.fj