Getting to Know Your International Contacts—Part 3

This week I listened to the podcast from George Forman. He is from Monroe, Louisiana and has a doctorate in developmental psychology. He is now a professor and observes children in play. He likes to learn about children through play and why it is important. He believes that in preschool education children should have the change to learn things in terms of verbs. Instead of always asking children, "What is this?" Ask them why or how something happens and to show you. He also believes that children learn more through their imagination and should be allowed to play. I truly believe that children should learn through play and using their imagination, especially in the younger ages.

After listening to the podcast I looked at UNESCO's "Early Childhood Care and Education webpage. Under the news on this webpage, there was an article about what the most important skills that a child should learn. I was expecting the skills to be reading and math but what they really were surprised me. The first skill was Know about their Culture, Children need to value and respect their culture because it is what keeps families glued together. When you know your culture you are close to your family and you family is your first teacher. Within your culture you also learn about respect and values. The second skill that children should learn vocal skills so that they can be a good citizen, employee and educational leader. The third thing that a child should learn is to be critical thinkers about who they are and how they relate to the world around them. They must learn to be literate and numerate, be problem solvers and resilient. I think these are great skills for children to learn and they will help lead them to a successful life.