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Component 2

Through this component, EDIFAM promotes the skilled use of a newly developed national early childhood curriculum among teachers in the formal sector and caregivers in the non-formal sector.

In July of 2004, EDIFAM delivered instruction in four of the established themes to ensure that teachers and caregivers were well prepared to use the curriculum:

> theoretical bases of curriculum design and structures;
> planning, goal formation and activity definition based on curricular orientations;
> theoretical bases, principles and practical implications of the curricular methodological approach; and
> ongoing assessment and evaluation of learning based on the curriculum.

To reach caregivers in the non-formal sector, EDIFAM staff traveled to three regions to hold workshops that lasted three days each. One hundred technical staff, educators, and daycare directors from the non-formal sector received training in the four themes; there were 20 participants in the eastern zone, 20 in the western zone and 60 in the central zone, divided into two sections when appropriate. All workshop activities were carried out in a participatory, active fashion, taking into consideration the background and experience of the participants.

In the formal sector, 83 pre-school and kindergarten teachers and 3 Ministry of Education staff gathered in San Salvador for a two-day congress addressing the same four themes. A plenary session involved all participants in a discussion and group activities regarding the continuous assessment of learning in the early childhood setting. The participants then split into three groups for rotating interactive workshops related to the remaining three themes.

In 2005, a second round of congresses, similar in numbers of participants and in nature to the first round, addressed the remaining themes selected for Component 2:

> teaching and learning through play
> teaching and learning through music
> teaching and learning through theater

EDIFAM provided follow-on training to ensure that the teachers and caregivers had support as they put the curriculum into action in their classrooms. One exciting element of the follow-on training was a pilot Interactive Radio Instruction program that provided teachers and caregivers in 8 centers with audio programs featuring music, songs and games that correlated with the curriculum. By leading the children through the programs, the teachers and caregivers practiced the principles of active, whole-child learning promoted by the new curriculum and children enjoyed a stimulating new way to learn. For a report on the IRI pilot program, click here (Spanish only).

With the curriculum in hand plus initial and follow-on training through EDIFAM, Salvadoran teachers and caregivers now have the tools to increase the cognitive, affective, and psychomotor skills of the children they work with every day.