Leading early childhood resource launched

The most significant early childhood curriculum resource developed since Te Whâriki was launched today at Waikato University by Education Minister Trevor Mallard.

“Assessment for Learning: Early Childhood Exemplars is a best practice resource that will help teachers continue to improve the quality of their teaching,” said Trevor Mallard.

The exemplars consist of a series of books that help teachers to understand and strengthen children’s learning and show how children, parents and whânau can contribute to this assessment and ongoing learning.

“Te Whâriki is a world class early childhood curriculum and has been a significant factor in putting New Zealand on the early childhood world stage. I fully anticipate that these early childhood exemplars will reinforce and strengthen this position,” said Trevor Mallard.

“More than $12 million is being spent to develop this resource and provide professional development on assessment for early childhood teachers.

“I am pleased to be part of a government that recognises the importance of early learning experiences and values early childhood education.

“Between 1999 and up to 2008 this government will have increased the investment in early childhood education by 79 per cent. This bodes well for the future, particularly given our growing knowledge of the critical nature of early learning and development and the importance of quality teaching in children’s learning.”

A team of early childhood leaders, led by Waikato University’s Dr Margaret Carr, worked with more than 40 early childhood services in the Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and Christchurch regions to develop the assessments - informed by both national and international research and theory.

“I want to congratulate all those who have contributed to the development of this resource. The result is a high quality resource with the potential to significantly impact on the quality of teaching and learning in early childhood education,” said Trevor Mallard.

A second set of exemplar books will be distributed at the beginning of 2006.

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