Latest news with #earlychildhood
The Herald
3 days ago
- General
- The Herald
Teachers and principals cannot fix the reading crisis on their own
Literacy doesn't begin in grade 1. It begins much earlier — with talking, singing, storytelling and playing with sounds from birth. This implies that speaking, reading and writing need all stakeholders to play their part. Parents, guardians and caregivers have an important role in developing children's reading skills. However, this can be a challenge if in the child's immediate environment there is no stimulation. Children must learn to speak their mother tongue at home. The responsibility to teach literacy must not be placed on educators alone. Children learn the language at home; they go to Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres to be supported in the learning process that must happen at home. This implies that homes have a key role in laying a foundation for reading with understanding. If ECD educators are not capacitated with skills to sharpen the skills learnt at home, we will continue to have a challenge. If children are struggling at home, ECD is there to fill the gap, to support the child so he/she is 'not left behind'. That means if home is dysfunctional, we must have functional ECD. If these two immediate environments are not playing their part effectively, the literacy crisis will always haunt us. Teachers' pedagogical content knowledge is pivotal in teaching a subject. Not all teachers love teaching languages. Some do so because they are grade/class teachers in the foundation phase where they are expected to teach all subjects. Some have done language modules in their pre-service training, but that does not necessarily mean they can confidently teach languages. Some teachers may excel in some language skills and lack in others. One teacher might be good at teaching writing and handwriting but not good at teaching components of reading (phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension). One teacher might be biased towards a subject because they are move confident in teaching it. It is important to think about the people who teach reading with understanding. That is why we must invest in teacher training and ongoing professional development. This includes preparing pre-service teachers in our universities, as well as supporting in-service teachers through workshops, mentorship and providing access to quality teaching materials. Reading with understanding cannot be taught only when teaching language subjects. The intricate web of factors contributing to the grade 4 literacy crisis necessitates a comprehensive and multifaceted approach, integrating perspectives from pedagogy and systemic reform. The University of Fort Hare, through the Department of Early Childhood Care Education and the Department of Languages and Literacy Education, is striving to develop excellence in teaching foundation phases and language. The Department of Early Childhood Care and Education is committed to providing a solid foundation for educators who will shape the early learning experiences of young children. Its programmes focus on the development of essential skills in child-centred teaching, caregiving and the understanding of early childhood development theories. The Department of Languages and Literacy Education is dedicated to fostering a deep understanding of language acquisition, literacy development and the importance of communication in education. Its programmes focus on equipping future educators with the skills needed to teach diverse language pupils and to promote literacy in both mother tongue (specifically, African languages) and second languages. The literacy crisis has been identified. SA in known for having pupils who cannot read with understanding. It is good that some work has been done. The fact that they can read is a foundation upon which we can build. Fixing this crisis isn't just the responsibility of teachers and principals. It is a collective task that involves the government, universities, NGOs, families and the private sector. The government must ensure policies are aligned with literacy goals and that funding supports early learning. Nonprofit organisations can help bridge gaps in communities through reading programmes and literacy campaigns. Parents and caregivers, even those who are not literate, can play a powerful role just by talking to their children, telling stories and showing an interest in books. Universities have a dual responsibility: preparing the next generation of teachers and generating research that informs best practice in the classroom. We must also partner with schools and communities to make literacy everyone's business. We have a crisis to fix; let us fix it together. Dr Sonti Mokobane (interim head of Department of Early Childhood Care Education, and Dr Sive Makeleni (interim head of Department of Languages and Literacy Education) University of Fort Hare Faculty of Education
Associated Press
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
Learning Giraffe Launches Silly Spin Colors, the Perfect First Learning App for Kids
Learning Giraffe's Silly Spin Colors is a fun, accessible app designed to help toddlers and preschoolers develop color recognition and cognitive skills, offering a universal design that supports children of all abilities. United States, June 6, 2025 -- Learning Giraffe is making waves in early childhood development with Silly Spin Colors, the latest addition to its growing lineup of apps. This app is designed to be the perfect first digital learning experience for young children, combining fun, vibrant colors, and essential developmental skills. Why Silly Spin Colors is the Best First App for Kids Silly Spin Colors is designed to help young children develop color recognition, vocabulary, and fundamental cognitive skills using interactive spinning-wheel animations. This app is ideal for both toddlers and preschoolers, offering three different modes so children can explore and learn at their own pace. Whether they're discovering colors for the first time or reinforcing their existing knowledge, the app adjusts to suit their learning needs. Designed with Every Child in Mind What makes Silly Spin Colors truly stand out is its universal design. The app includes Easy Tap Mode and Bluetooth switch compatibility, ensuring that children with a variety of physical or developmental challenges can also interact with the content. These thoughtful features make the app accessible for all children, whether at home or in the classroom. 'We set out to create an app that's not just fun, but accessible for all kids. With Silly Spin Colors, we're proud to offer something that parents can trust to help their children learn while ensuring every child can engage,' says the CEO and Founder of Learning Giraffe. Learning Through Play Silly Spin Colors is more than just a color recognition app. Its original Rainbow Song helps reinforce color names through music and repetition, turning the learning process into a fun and memorable experience. The app's calming visuals and gentle design have been praised by both parents and teachers, making it an excellent tool for children during moments of transition or focus. No Ads, No Subscriptions – Just Straightforward Learning With Silly Spin Colors, parents get a free version with the option to unlock the full app for a one-time $2.99 purchase. There are no ads, no subscriptions, and no hidden fees, just a straightforward, affordable learning experience. This makes it the perfect tool for parents who want to ensure their kids get the best start without any surprises. Download Silly Spin Colors Today With Silly Spin Colors, Learning Giraffe continues to lead the way in creating inclusive, accessible learning tools for children. Whether your child is just starting their learning journey or reinforcing existing knowledge, Silly Spin Colors provides a fun, effective experience that grows with your child. 30 second Sneak Peak: Silly Spin Colors onYouTube Download Silly Spin Colors today and start your child's learning adventure. Download Silly Spin Colors now from the Apple App Store and Google Play. Visit for more information. Stay connected on Instagram and Facebook for the latest updates and new releases. If you're a member of the press and would like to explore the app featured in our release, please email us for a free access code - available upon request while supplies last. Learning Giraffe Recognized as Best Early Learning App in 2025 Learning Giraffe has been proudly named the Best Early Learning App - Parent's Choice 2025 by the prestigious Evergreen Awards, a recognition that highlights the app's innovative approach to early childhood education. Praised for its engaging content and easy-to-use interface, Learning Giraffe offers parents a trusted tool to support their children's development in a fun and effective way. This award underscores the app's commitment to quality learning experiences that make a real difference for families. About Learning Giraffe Learning Giraffe creates playful, inclusive learning apps for children of all ages and abilities. Their apps are filled with engaging adventures that expand kids' knowledge, skills, and creativity. Each app is thoughtfully designed to both entertain and educate, offering children the opportunity to learn and grow through fun, interactive experiences. Media Contact Contact Name: Natalie Dragotto Title: CEO and Founder Email: [email protected] Contact Info: Name: Natalie Dragotto Email: Send Email Organization: Learning Giraffe Website: Release ID: 89159223 If you encounter any issues, discrepancies, or concerns regarding the content provided in this press release, or if there is a need for a press release takedown, we urge you to notify us without delay at [email protected] (it is important to note that this email is the authorized channel for such matters, sending multiple emails to multiple addresses does not necessarily help expedite your request). Our expert team will be available to promptly respond within 8 hours – ensuring swift resolution of identified issues or offering guidance on removal procedures. Delivering accurate and reliable information is fundamental to our mission.
Telegraph
19-05-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Six months' paternity leave is ridiculous – not all things have to be equal
'Investing in early childhood'? Seems like a good idea. I keep being told that children are the future – which is a terrifying thought (they're so small, and they can't really do anything). Though not quite as terrifying as the idea of men being given six months' paternity leave. Inspired by the Princess of Wales – who has been urging business leaders to support new parents as part of her work with the Royal Foundation Business Taskforce for Early Childhood – Deloitte is to give all new fathers at least six months off work… on full pay. Jazz hands please, no clapping, lest it upsets any of the sore-nippled, papoose-wearing baby daddies out there. I shouldn't sneer. The consultancy firm is doing this, it says, in order to increase its number of female partners. Which would obviously be a positive. In the UK, women still only constitute 37 per cent of partners in law firms, while accountancy firms have just 18 per cent women in partner roles, so in theory at least (we'll get to the inconvenient truths shortly), policies like this one might help give those figures a stimulus. Deloitte, I should point out, is also the first member of 'the big four' – which also includes Ernst & Young, KPMG and PricewaterhouseCoopers – to address the impact of unequal parental leave on working mothers' career progression. So far, so saintly. But I have a few follow-up questions. First, you do realise that it's totally unfeasible for small or even medium-sized businesses to embrace this policy? It won't, in fact, boost any figures other than our ballooning 'out of office' statistics. Just under a quarter of the working-age population (those aged 16-64) do not currently have a job. That's about 11 million people. So, is now really the time to be devising fresh incentives for Britons not to work? Is carving out a whole new 'economically inactive' demographic (to add to the chronically work-shy brigade and the cynical 'mental health' hijackers) really the way to get the UK back on track, boost economic growth alongside living standards, and improve social outcomes? Because, while I'm sure that the bambino benefits from the presence of his daddy in those first few precious months, the state of the country he or she grows up in is also, arguably, going to be important. Second (and I've been a bit slow on the uptake here), since it turns out that you don't have to be the 'primary caregiver' to qualify for paternity leave, what are these men actually going to be doing for half a year? I can't help but think of a couple I knew, who would leave the dinner party table together, mid-meal, to breastfeed their baby. When I asked the husband why that was, he explained that he was 'there to support' his wife. Which was quite lovely, I told him, thinking: 'I have no words'. Those early months can be lonely, it's true (although in my case it was a good kind of lonely – the best), but what would six months of a husband-turned- doula do to a woman's mental health, I wonder? Or the country's divorce statistics? If we're spinning this thing out to farcical levels, why stop at husbands? Last July, Sweden rolled out a new law that allows parents to transfer some of their paid parental leave to grandparents, so let's get Nana and Grandad on the gravy train too. Let's get the aunties and the uncles involved, the nieces and the nephews. How are we going to pay for all this leave? We can't get bogged down with that. I don't even have to read the Business Taskforce for Early Childhood's newly released report to know that the more family members you are surrounded by in early life, the better your… everything. Idealism isn't, in fact, the problem. You can aim for the stars without getting caught up in our toddler-esque fixation with 'fairness'. It's not fair that women have periods, babies, the menopause. It's not fair that a womb and breasts can negatively impact a woman's career. And I'm all for trying to level the playing field wherever possible. I can even understand the need to 'challenge' the 'primary parent' model, just so long as we're clear that, in general – and until men can bear children and breastfeed – that 'primary parent' will remain the mother. 'Deloitte's decision to give men six months of fully paid leave isn't just about families – it's about the future of work,' wrote one mummy blogger yesterday. If the future of work is extended periods of paid non-work, we're going to have much bigger problems than the gender gap.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Kate Middleton Got LEGO and IKEA on Her Side — Inside Her Quiet Power Move for U.K. Families
Kate Middleton's mission to elevate early childhood as a national priority is making meaningful strides — with the business world increasingly on board. Through a series of new initiatives, Princess Kate's Royal Foundation Business Taskforce for Early Childhood has inspired major companies — from IKEA to leading banks and supermarkets — to roll out programs designed to better support parents and help children thrive. The momentum follows a landmark report released by the Princess of Wales last year, which outlined the urgent need to prioritize the early years. The report underscored that every child deserves a happy, healthy start in life — and that investing in early childhood isn't just the right thing to do, it's also smart economics. By supporting caregivers and families, the paper argued, businesses can reduce absenteeism, boost employee retention, and support mental health and wellbeing across the workforce — all while helping to raise a more resilient future generation. Since the report's release, each member of the Taskforce — which runs alongside Kate's broader Shaping Us campaign — has pledged to take action. Related: You May Have Missed Kate Middleton's Thoughtful Nod to Queen Elizabeth During Latest Outing in Monarch's Honor Kate Middleton's early childhood campaign is gaining real traction — with major businesses across the U.K. stepping up in meaningful ways. According to the Princess of Wales' office, LEGO has donated LEGO® Education Build Me 'Emotions' sets — designed to help children identify and understand their feelings — to early years providers throughout the U.K. IKEA has partnered with local baby banks to provide essential items to families in need and launched a product line that raised funds for the Baby Bank Alliance. NatWest bank expanded its lending capacity for early years care settings and created tools to help nurseries operate more sustainably. Supermarket chain Iceland has trained 30,000 staff to better support young families and collaborated with online forum Mumsnet to launch a range of toddler meals — a project that raised funds for Liverpool's Alder Hey Hospital and encourages healthy eating. Meanwhile, local grocery store Co-Op, inspired by Kate's Shaping Us Framework, is now working to help parents and carers better understand and foster children's social and emotional development. Much of this work continued behind the scenes during Kate's cancer treatment throughout 2024, though she remained closely informed — including on the release of last May's influential task force report. On May 18, Sir Ron Kalifa, Chair of the Taskforce, praised the progress made: 'Businesses of every shape and size – from high-street shops to global enterprises – hold unique and powerful touchpoints: as employers, as providers of goods and services, and as pillars of the communities they proudly serve. These roles aren't just business functions – they're incredible platforms for meaningful action." Related: Kate Middleton 'Excited' About Next Stage of Her Landmark Project, but It Doesn't Signal a Return to Work He added, 'At The Royal Foundation, we are deeply proud that over the past year, members of our taskforce have shown such strong leadership and risen to this challenge. Their efforts have made a real, tangible difference in the lives of countless families with young children." 'And this is only the beginning of what's possible. The road ahead is bursting with potential," he said. "By continuing to work hand-in-hand, we have the chance to reimagine the role of business in society — not just as engines of economic activity, but as champions of childhood, wellbeing, and long-term societal health.' Kate launched her Business Taskforce in March 2023 as part of her broader early years mission — and has recently begun a gradual return to public life after announcing in January that her cancer is in remission. Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! On May 13, she stepped out in London to honor rising fashion talent at a design event, where winner Patrick McDowell, 29, told PEOPLE, "She was so interested to see the different crafts people were working on… She was genuinely interested to meet all of them and hear about what they do and how each of them contributes to the process of a fashion collection coming together." Later this week, she's expected to join her husband, Prince William, in Scotland to christen a new state-of-the-art anti-submarine warship, HMS Glasgow. Read the original article on People
Daily Mail
18-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Princess Kate's 'life's work' project for young children hits major milestone
The Princess of Wales ' 'business taskforce' working to better the lives of young children is said to have reached 500,000 youngsters in the last year. Firms from Deloitte to LEGO have taken part, investing in schemes including funding training for 1,300 'early years' teachers to raising parent leave after birth for all parents to 26 weeks full pay. Catherine's Royal Foundation-led initiative is one of the major corner stones of her public work and something she has taken a key interest in, even through her cancer treatment last year. It is based on widespread research which shows that what happens to children between the ages of birth to five is not only formative but can have huge effect on their behaviour and emotions as adults, even leading to anti-social behaviour and addiction. Eight major firms have joined the taskforce, which was launched in 2023, to 'support families and create a happier, healthier society'. One year on from their first major report, which set out why businesses should invest in early childhood, it has been revealed that the effect has already been 'varied and vast'. The LEGO Group has donated Build Me 'Emotions' sets to early years providers across every corner of the UK, while Co-op has created a dedicated early childhood fund and already supported more than 130 early years apprentices. In November 2023 she met Grayson Stevenson (centre), 5, and his dad, Mark Stevenson (left), during a visit to 'Dadvengers', a community for dads and their children, in Arnos Grove, north London, as part of her Shaping Us campaign on early childhood Meanwhile IKEA has partnered with local baby banks to donate essentials and launched a product range raising money for the Baby Bank Alliance. NatWest has increased its lending capacity for early years settings and produced tools to support nurseries to operate in a more sustainable way, with a target of £250 million. Financial services giant Deloitte has funded more than 1300 early years teachers to undertake crucial qualifications and changed its parental policies to give all parents 26 weeks full pay. Iceland helped 30,000 staff better support young families and launched a range of toddler meals with Mumsnet, which raise money for Alder Hey Hospital and aim to support healthy eating. The princess' Centre for Early Years at Kensington Palace say these projects combined have a potential reach of more than half a million babies and young children. The princess' Centre for Early Years at Kensington Palace say these projects combined have a potential reach of more than half a million babies and young children. Above, Catherine during a visit toa children's hospice based in Sully, near Cardiff Sir Ron Kalifa, Chair of the Taskforce, said: 'Businesses of every shape and size – from high-street shops to global enterprises – hold unique and powerful touchpoints: as employers, as providers of goods and services, and as pillars of the communities they proudly serve. These roles aren't just business functions – they're incredible platforms for meaningful action. 'At The Royal Foundation, we are deeply proud that over the past year, members of our taskforce have shown such strong leadership and risen to this challenge. Their efforts have made a real, tangible difference in the lives of countless families with young children. 'And this is only the beginning of what's possible. The road ahead is bursting with potential.' Catherine has long made clear that the initiative is a 'lifelong' commitment for her and has previously explained that the years up to the age of five are the 'building blocks for life'.
