Speaking at the ED300 Resource Display programme at the campus on August 18, Early Childhood Education Teaching Assistant, Babra Prakash said the university has made a huge difference in the lives of many pre-school teachers and students by delivering Early Childhood Education degree program.
Prakash said because it takes a big heart and a lot of time to shape the little minds, pre-school teachers have to be properly trained and qualified to undertake this important task. She emphasised that because pre-school teachers build the foundation for the young minds, parents, families and communities put a lot of faith in them.
ED300 is the final course for the student teachers graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and plays a very pivotal role in the training program of the ECE teachers.
These student teachers have 17 weeks’ practicum during which they are exposed to six main focus areas including psychology and child development for children aged between zero to eight years. They do their practicum in different educational settings according to the course levels from 100 to 300.
Ms Prakash said teachers have to be aware on how to prepare different activities for different development levels as every child is unique and develops at their own pace.
Towards the end of the course the student teachers are given two weeks to prepare their teaching resources. The resources, including charts and other teaching aids are prepared using natural and recycled material. The trainees learn to prepare activities for normal pre-school students as well as for children with special needs.
Neha Ram, one of the student teachers undertaking her final ED300 unit said she is very proud to be a product of USP
Lautoka Campus.
Ram’s journey at USP started in 2014 when she was pregnant and now when she is in the final stages of completing her degree program, her son has entered pre-school education.
Ram said she is really thankful to the lecturers and the support staff at USP
Lautoka Campus for their continuous guidance. She is eager to start teaching and make an impact with all that she has learnt.
