Mrs Caroline Popoola, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of a Non-Governmental Organisation, Alpha Global, says the importance of early years education cannot be overstated in today’s rapidly evolving world.
Popoola said this at the second edition of Early Years Childcare Conference 2023, organized by the NGO on Sunday, in Lagos, with the theme, “Redefining Early Years Education for the 21st Century Child”.
“It is during these formative years that children build the foundation for their lifelong learning journey.
“This conference serves as a platform to explore innovative approaches, exchange best practices and redefine the standards for nurturing and educating our youngest leaders of tomorrow.
“Our goal is to inspire and empower the teachers and early child educators to embrace new methodologies, leverage cutting edge technologies and foster a holistic approach to early childhood education, ”she said.
She said that coming together, sharing insights and collaborating could create a positive impact on the lives of countless children and shape a brighter future for generations to come.
“I urge the educators, school owners and parents to use this opportunity to revolutionize early childhood education and ignite a passion for learning in every child,” Popoola said.
Mrs Ronke Soyombo, Special Adviser on Education, Ogun State, advised educators, teachers and school owners to be intentional, purposeful in their approach, and thoughtful in their planning, to educate their students.
Soyombo said that an intentional teacher would focus on maximizing students’ learning and growth, and continuously reflect on and improve his teaching practices.
“Every school and teacher needs to go back to the drawing board and create an enabling environment for children to stay and learn better.
“Teachers need to be creative in their homework and always use initiatives to achieve great teaching and learning in students
“An intentional teacher should carefully design lessons to achieve specific learning goals and objectives for the students.
“Teachers need to be purposeful, thoughtful and flexible without losing sight of their goals for every student, “she said.
Mr Fela Durotoye, leadership coach and consultant, urged educators and teachers to always solve problems within their capabilities in order to help the children.
Durotoye encouraged the teachers that whatever they did to a child in their various schools would make impact in changing the world.
“Always give great affirmation words to every child that they are leaders, the best way to teach children right is teaching them values, because it cannot change nor expire,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that over 800 participants, including education researchers, educators, teachers, parents and early child practitioners were in attendances.
Some schools in Lagos State benefited scholarship grants for their pupils, worth over N4 million, from the NGO for 10 pupils, each for a full session and Montessori materials.
The beneficiaries are The Lord’s Garden, Dekeepers, Spring Garden Schools, while Mrs Yinka Ogunde, Founder, Concerned Parents and Educators Initiatives, got grants for 20 pupils.
