Curriculum in Early Childhood Education (Australia)

Abstract

At a seminar on Compensatory Early Childhood Education held in Jerusalem in the fall of 1972 the idea of compensatory education and its viability in cross cultural terms was examined in conjunction with a critical review of the whole notion of social and cultural disadvantage. Twenty-two participants from international governmental organizations and private foundations represented 12 countries. This report attempts to provide as thorough a conspectus as possible of the seminar's deliberations and a re-creation of its climate and atmosphere. The report contains the texts of three papers presented by Professor Jack Tizard (University of London), who spoke on "The Disadvantaged Child and his Characteristics," Dr. Sara Smilansky (Tel Aviv University) who introduced "The Concept of Curriculum as a Strategy for Intervention," and Mr. Dudley Grant (Director for the Center for Early Childhood Education, University of the West Indies) who focused on "Implementation: A Central Problem in Curriculum Change." Two background papers are also included: "Compensatory Education for Aboriginal Children in Queensland" by Mr. Norman Alford (Dept. of Education, Queensland) and "The Athione Early Learning Centre, South Africa" by Dr. Frank Dessel (Cape Educational Trust). A summary overview of all the papers submitted is also contained in this report, along with a short bibliography of related readings, and a list of the conference participants. (Author/CS)