PROPOSED CURRICULUM FOR A BACHELOR OF EDUCATION DEGREE IN EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

Over the years, the concern for children under eight years of age has drawn much interest especially in the field of education. With documentation of the first six years of a child's life being of vital importance to the development of the child, programmes have been put in place in Kenya and in the world at large to meet the needs of the children who are below six years of age. Early Childhood Development (ECD) centers of various kinds have been set up in the country to deal with the holistic growth and development of { children less than six years of age. These centers have ranged from child and day care homes to pre-schools. The programmes have further been extended to eight years of age in order to cater for the transition period from pre-schools to primary schools.

It is important to note that parents are expected to be the primary caregivers in Early Childhood Development. However, many parents have found themselves unable to fully provide maximum care to their young children due to the fast changing socio-economic environment in Kenya, and in the world at large. Demands on the society have led parents, especially mothers, to spend less time with their young children. Parents have sought full time employment in order to cater for the financial needs of the home. This has consequently led to greater enrolment of children under six years of age in various kinds of ECD centers, for the provision of an alternative care for them. Increase of enrolment of children in ECD centers has consequently led to an increase in the demand for ECD teachers and facilitators.

Currently, great emphasis bas been placed on the training of ECD teachers in Kenya. However, very little is in place to facilitate the training of trainers of ECD teachers and facilitators. The Bachelor of Education programme in Early Childhood Development is geared towards equipping facilitator of ECD with the necessary skills and knowledge to provide better care for ECD as well as train others to do likewise.

It has become of great concern in Kenya. that many children appear to be losing out on their moral and spiritual values. This is greatly attributed to the foundations they received in their lives. The Bachelor of Education programme in Early Childhood Development will greatly incorporate Christian values with a view of promoting the integration of faith to the facilitation of Early Childhood Development. This programme aims at promoting positive Christian attitudes among the facilitators that would in tum be translated to the children.