When speaking with Carmen this week, she explained a little bit more about the Romanian kindergarten program. Parents can enroll a child in kindergarten at the age of three, though all children leave kindergarten at the age of six. Since this portion of the educational system is not mandatory, this phase of the educational system is relatively short. Most kindergartens are split into three or four different groups depending on a child’s age. Children who attend kindergarten in Romanian are often taught foreign languages, physical fitness, and some computer skills and the children are served a meal each day. The food is usually cooked inside of the kindergarten classroom. Parents have a choice to send their children to a short kindergarten, which usually ends around 1pm or they can stay as late as 6pm. This is because so many parents work and this is to accomadate their schedules. Most of the kindergarten schools are privately ran and some families that can't afford to send their children to school. These children will not begin school until they are six or seven years old. The transition is often difficult for these young children.
I would say that the early education field in Romania is not equal to everyone. Not everyone can afford to send their children to kindergarten programs at the age of 3. These children do not begin formal school until they are six or seven years old. They begin formal school already behind their peers and it is hard to catch up. They are from poor families that don't have the means to buy extra materials to help at home. This was the only issue of equity that Ms. Carmen emailed me back with.
Misty,
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like the Romanian culture forgoes pre-K and just goes straight into kindergarten. I feel that could be good and bad. It amazes me that they stay until age six, which is the normal age in America. I am surprised how much they demand these children to learn at such a young age, but then again their minds are very fresh and they can hold a lot on information. Thank you for sharing this great information about Romanian education.
Misty,
ReplyDeleteI'm amazed to read about these international programs. While New Zealand is supporting a holistic curriculum, it sounds like Romania remains selective about who enters into the kindergarten program. While this is probably not intentionally, an unintended consequence of that program is that there are children who are not able to access the program. It definitely is an equity issue. I wonder if there are assistance programs in Romania like there are in the United States or if there is any help for those families who can't afford those programs.
Thanks for sharing. I loved reading it!
Erin
Erin,
DeleteI was told that the children begin when they are 3 but if their families couldn't afford it, like most of the farmers children, then they couldn't start until they turn 6 and it was free. But from ages 3-6 the families had to pay because it is considered private school.
Thanks Misty.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the perspective from Romanian that shows a clear issue of equity. In addtion to how mental health affects on equity which was studied thei week, I can also deduce the effect on poverty and how if impacts on equity and excellence.
Thanks
Thanks for sharing the perspective from the Romanian that shows a clear issue of equity. In additon to how mental health impacts on equity which was studied this week, I can also deduce the effect of poverty and how it impact on equity and excellence.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Misty,
ReplyDeletethank you for your research, this is so disheartening. I know we have many inequities in this country, but to start formal education at 6 or 7 creates even more of a gap. Thank you for your information.
Misty,
ReplyDeleteCongrats on being successful in making connection with an international early childhood educator. From keeping your post I have realised you share shared a great amount of information.
I have come to the conclusion from not just reading your post, other colleagues post but from our class discussions that we don't have the same education policies or acts throught out the World, what may work in the USA may not work here in Antigua or even Romania.
Thanks for sharing.
Misty,
ReplyDeleteI am sure you have heard it plenty of times but that you for being able to share your insights on what you are learning from your contact. I believe this is extremely interesting. I look forward to reading and finding out more.
Lauren