– Presentations delight parents at Early Childhood Sensitisation Workshop

UNDER the theme, “Parents, the Child’s first teacher” the Early Childhood (Nursery) Unit of the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD), in collaboration with the Department of Education – Region Four, hosted a Parental Sensitisation Workshop on Tuesday.

The parents who participated in the workshop were treated to several revivifying presentations.

The presenters for the sensitisation included the Director of the Early Childhood Centre of Excellence and Assistant Dean, Faculty of Education, University of Guyana, Lidon Lashley; Special Education Needs Officer, Yolanda Trotman -Phillips; and Early Childhood – Nursery Officers, Marisa Brandon and Deborah Hutson.

In his discourse, Mr. Lashley highlighted parental involvement instead of 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 guid e for the best result for children during their educational lives. An equation that can only be completed if and when they become parents and are engaged, and work collaboratively with the school and their child/children to ascertain the learners’ success.

This presentation was a powerful start to a workshop filled with helpful information towards strengthening the relationship between school and home, parent and child, for successful strides in the child’s educational development.

Mrs. Yolanda Trotman -Phillips followed with her presentation: ‘Special Education Needs and You.”

In her presentation, she highlighted the importance of early identification and intervention, signs and symptoms to identify the possible presence of a special education need, and the procedure of getting the child assessed and/or diagnosed to provide appropriate support.

It was evident within her presentation that parents with children with special needs should be aware that they are not exempted from their role in fostering engagement and creating an atmosphere that leads to positive learning, growth, and development of their child.

Meanwhile, Ms. Marisa Brandon and Ms. Deborah Hutson, in their presentation: “Practical ways- the use of home-based resources”, concluded the sensitisation session by creating an atmosphere in which the parents could 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, sharing their experiences and asking questions for clarification. Parents used the opportunity to request advice for situations they faced with their children, eagerly and brilliantly devised ways to use home-based resources such as buckets, ice trays, funnels, clothes pins, and measuring spoons, among others to engage with their children at home.

They were able to demonstrate creative ways in which they could use the mentioned resources to teach or reinforce concepts taught at school while spending quality time with their children.

Also in attendance at the sensitisation session were other senior personnel within the Ministry of Education who were instrumental in its success. These officers included: Mrs Quenita Walrond Lewis, Director of NCERD; Ms. Toolaram – District Education Officer who welcomed the parents and gave brief remarks on behalf of the Regional Education Officer Ms Stembiso Grant; and Mrs. Omawattie Ramdin – Curriculum Officer (NCERD) who set the stage with her opening remarks on behalf of the Department, encouraging parents to support their children.

The sensitisation session concluded with Ms. Benn- Ceasar, District Education Officer thanking the presenters for the timely presentations. She indicated that Region Four will continue to have similar sessions to assist parents.

The parent representatives of Nursery Schools/Classes on the East Bank of Demerara – District Four will also be treated to a Parental Sensitisation Session at a later date.