The Early Childhood (Nursery) Unit of the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD) in collaboration with the Special Education Needs Unit and the Department of Education Region 3 hosted a Parental Sensitization Workshop under the theme, “A Parent, the child’s first teacher”.
The workshop was held at the Department of Education, Region Three. Two parent representatives from each Nursery School/Class within the Educational District- Region Three were invited to attend the workshop and treated to several revivifying presentations.
Dr. Lidon Lashley, Director of the Early Childhood Centre of Excellence and Assistant Dean Faculty of Education, University of Guyana, highlighted parental involvement as opposed to parental engagement. He relayed the importance of parental engagement as he cleverly engaged the parents in mind teasing interaction. The parents were encouraged at the session to work collectively to devise the perfect equation that can be used as a guide for the best result for our children during their educative lives.
Mrs. Yolanda Trotman-Phillips, Special Education Needs Officer, followed with her presentation: ‘Special education Needs and You.” She highlighted the importance of early identification and intervention, signs and symptoms to look for in identifying the possible presence of a special education need, and the procedure of getting the child assessed and/or diagnosed to provide appropriate support for him/her.
Ms. Marisa Brandon, Early Childhood – Nursery Officer, in her presentation: “Practical ways- the use of home-based resources to teach”, concluded the sensitization session. She created an atmosphere in which the parents were able to creatively craft ways and strategies using home-based resources that encourage engagement and learning.
Throughout the session, there was evidence of interested parents who openly participated and interacted with the presenters. They shared their experiences and asked questions for clarification. Parents used this opportunity to request advice for situations they faced with their children and brilliantly devised ways of using home-based resources such as buckets, ice trays, funnels, clothes pins, measuring spoons, etc to engage with their children at home.
Also present at the sensitization session were other officers within the Ministry of Education who were instrumental in its success. These officers included Ms. Omawattie Ramdin – Curriculum Officer (NCERD), Ms. Rondesha Rowland – District Education Officer, Ms. Deborah Hutson – Early Childhood (Nursery) Officer (NCERD), Ms. Chiveon Success-Bovell – District Education Officer, Ms. Abeeda Ali – Education Officer (ACEO – N Office) Ms. Keane Williams – Nursery Officer (ACEO – N Office).
