AFRICAN CULTURE FOUNDATIONS OF ECCD UNIT 1: Cultural, Philosophical and Historical Perspectives of Early Childhood Care and Development and Education AFRICAN CULTURE FOUNDATIONS OF ECCD

OBJECTIVES OF LESSON Establish ECCD as African and Ghanaian culture A historical fact, therefore vital part of our culture A field of endeavour shaped and influenced by our world-/ life view An endeavour that should be Africentric nature.

KEY THOUGHTS/QUESTIONS on UNIT 1 How do I view ECCD? As African/Ghanaian culture and therefore indigenous and within my mastery, or as something acquired and therefore alien and difficult to manage within my cultural terrain? Is ECCD relevant to the Ghanaian experience and by extension the African experience? Should Africa shape its own ECCD culture by its cultural ideals or resort to imitation of other cultures’ ideals? Should ECCD be the result of careful contemplation of African reality within a global world, or not? What are the implications of African reclaiming our right to define ECCD for ourselves vs. importing ECCD ideas without considering their usefulness to us as a people? What danger does neglect of Africentric ECCD pose to us as a people?

FIRST THINGS FIRST What is Early Childhood? What is ECCD? Early childhood encompasses the period of human development from prenatal to transition from home into an ECCD centre or school. This period typically covers ages 0-8 years. What is ECCD? A field of endeavour that focuses on supporting the development of young children. Links children’s biological, cognitive, social and emotional aspects to care (by families, communities and nation) needed to develop these aspects. ECCD is multi-disciplinary; it includes health, nutrition, education, child protection, social welfare, etc.

ECCD as African/Ghanaian Culture Is ECCD our indigenous culture as Africans/ Ghanaians or is it borrowed? Focus on children and their development as the African/ Ghanaian way, since the beginning of human civilization. According to Mbiti and Ackah, for example, the African child is seen in Africa as symbol of continuity. Children as the past, present and future of African life. Their care therefore occupies a central place in our way of life. READ MBITI NOTE A

What are some of the activities in our way of life which are ECCD? From the day a woman conceives to the day she gives birth, there are ceremonies and rituals and activities that influence the development of the child. Nutrition of mother. She eats special food and avoids others. Akamba women for example do not eat fat or meat killed by poison arrow) Activities of mother. She must not have sex; must not work close to fire; etc). Parental care by mother’s parents (Ingassana, Sudan). Removal of harmful items from house, such as machete, arrows, etc) to protect child (Akamba, Kenya). Social regulations: Expectant mother not speaking directly to her husband, but through intermediary (Mao). Spiritual regulations: making of prayers to God These prohibitions illustrate the care and protection which both mother and child should and do receive.

ECCD: African culture or Not? ECCD as therefore a natural part of African life. It is indigenous culture that is subject to cultural evolutions of African people, but has been and continues to be, even in modern times determined to the largest extent by African attitudes of mind, beliefs and experience.

We end here. We meet again on Tuesday to deliberate on: African/Ghanaian philosophical foundations of ECCD Historical foundations of ECCD in Africa and Ghana In the meantime, I will post the Question for the Week, and selections to be read before Tuesday at divergent page tomorrow afternoon. Access from 4pm onwards. Do well to post any questions and observations and even additional reading lists you believe may be helpful to us on our page, under UNIT ONE STUDENT QUESTIONS AND OBSERVATIONS.