Child Advocacy and Early Childhood Education Policies in the Caribbean

A volume in Research in Global Child AdvocacySeries Editors: Ilene R. Berson and Michael J. Berson, University of South FloridaThis volume explores early childhood education policies and practices in the Caribbean. Earlychildhood development has gained increasing importance as part of national agendas to achievesocial and economic goals. Regional guidelines and action plans have been developed, but progressacross nations varies. Chapters in the book analyze child policies and issues, critically examineprogress on alignment between policies and practices, and propose recommendations for advocacyand implementation that may advance the early childhood development agenda throughout theCaribbean.The book includes the perspectives of early childhood practitioners, policymakers, caregivers, representatives from family agenciesas well as other key stakeholders in the education of young children. Across these diverse viewpoints is a shared commitment tochildren's well being and the necessity of an integrated response that captures the challenges and opportunities of early childhooddevelopment services and initiatives that are framed based on contextual relevance and cultural appropriateness. Part One includeschapters that advocate for national policies throughout the Caribbean to support young children. Chapters in Part Two call forquality early childhood programming that is based on the tenets of developmentally appropriate practice. Part Three considers thepedagogical dilemmas that arise in math and literacy when schools negate purposeful and engaging early childhood curriculum.Part Four presents various perspectives on child protection and the necessary infrastructure of policies and practices to ensurecognitive, social, and physical development of young children in the Caribbean. Thisimportant resource promotes critical discourse on the current status of children andefforts that have been developed to effectively advocate for the rights of the young.