CHILD DEVELOPMENT NETWORK IN SINGAPORE
The organization that I have chosen to follow is the Child Development Network in Singapore for the duration of this course. I am interested in this organization because I am very interested and curious about the focus of early childhood development outside of the US. The Child Development Network aims to promote quality early childhood care and development in Singapore, with a focus on professional development and research in early childhood. I looked over a newsletter and read that Infant/Toddler care includes bathing in addition to feeding and diapering, at their childcare facilities. According to the newsletter these routines offer one-on-one interaction between the educarer and the child in order to bond and built secure attachments, and to foster language cognitive, and social-emotional development. I was happy to see many key word that have been used throughout my courses in this degree program. The bathing of children was very surprising to me. I don't think I have ever heard of anyone bathing children at their facilities, whereas this is the norm in Singapore!
Here is the link to the website I chose: https://app.cdn.gov.sg/Publications/ENEWSLETTER.aspx
Here is the link to the newsletter I read that provided the information on bathing infants/toddlers:
https://app.cdn.gov.sg/Portals/0/imapbuilder/EC%20Digest%20(Jul-Sep%2012).pdf
I'm really excited about finding this resource and I can't wait to read more about early childhood care in Singapore!
Hi Theresa, I also find it comforting when similar phrases and terminology are used in articles. It gives one the feeling of unity and that everyone is speaking the same language with regards to early childhood education. I wonder if the reason that children are bathed at school is because of the high humidity in Singapore or is it a cultural practice? I also wonder what impact demographics is having in Singapore as they have a very big expat population and influences from around the world.
ReplyDeleteHi Theresa. Bathing for infant and toddlers is an interesting read. While I am open to new ideas and learning about how others provide child care around the world, I would not include bathing in my program. Sometimes I wish I could bathe some of the children after a messy poop, however, I would be concerned about safety (water and handling) of the children in my care. Bathing children in a child care setting is definitely a cultural difference. As a parent, I would not permit a facility to bathe my children. I think some bonding experiences should be left with the parents or immediate caregivers only. Besides, children are still able to bond by being held and just attending to their needs by singing, reading, and feeding etc. Go Singapore!
ReplyDelete