Resources for Early Childhood Education

Not enough people know that nestled in the back of the National Centre for Educational Resource Development in Kingston, Georgetown is a nursery school teacher's paradise. We were so impressed with what we saw that we could not resist paying a visit and sharing what we discovered with everyone.

The resource area has been developed by Mrs Florence Sukhdeo, National Curriculum and Materials Advisor who works for BEAMS. Mrs Sukhdeo has a wealth of experience as a teacher, teacher trainer, university lecturer and advisor. The room is full of resources which are within the capabilities of any teacher to make and which, she is proud to say, she has either made herself or has commissioned from one of her many students all over the world that she has taught over her impressive years of service.

"I make and display the resources so that when a teacher sees them, she will immediately know what they are for and be able to make them herself." But, they are not classic home made resources that look home made. They are produced from all kinds of materials that are readily available in teachers' homes and which are often thrown away. With an emphasis on colour, shape, size and potential for the teaching of spatial awareness, Mrs Sukhdeo selects her odds and ends and turns them into practical learning resources which will serve well in the classroom for many generations of children. One of her successes are the big books she produces which highlight cultural practices in Guyana whilst at the same time teaching children the basics of reading. Some of these have been printed by Guyana Book Foundation with support from two Canadian based organisations CODE and CIDA as well as others from the BEAMS Programme (Basic Education Access and Management Support).

She has an eye for detail and is keen that teachers will replicate what they see in their own classrooms. We wanted to show her talents to a greater audience through http://www.ncerdleaders.com/. Mrs Sukhdeo is passionate about nursery children and is keen to ensure that all have a standard of education equal to the best. She doesn't want to see nursery classroom cluttered with display and resources just to decorate the room but feels that they should be true learning aids appropriate to the age, development and maturity of the children. Displays need to be changed regularly and link with what is being taught at a particular time.

In Guyana, nursery education consists of the following:

Year One - Age 3.9 - 4.9 years

Year Two - Age 4.9 - 5.9 years

Children then graduate to primary school where they are "infants" in Grades One and Two.

Of course, all of the materials displayed, suitably adapted, are appropriate also for the older age range. A positive and rich learning environment is essential at all levels from nursery to secondary. A science classroom in a secondary school needs to look like science is fun and enjoyable just as much as a primary classroom needs to motivate the children teaching them that learning is not only fun but a critical life skill.

Mrs Sukhdeo, we applaud you for your tenacity and your ability to share your wealth of experience, passing on your valuable knowledge to a new generation of teachers.

You can view all of the resources in Mrs Sukhdeo's room by clicking on the picture below. When you have the pictures in front of you, you can make them larger by using the slide bar at the top.

Early Years Education

Of course, if you want to see the real thing just pay a visit to NCERD and you will be filled with ideas for your classroom.

"From bottle tops to big books and bunnies to benabs,

Mrs Sukhdeo has it all!"

If you would like to find out more about classroom display in a previous article,

Click Here