Hi, I’m Ihiese Aigbogun
An educator An entrepreneur A changemaker

Bridging Traditions: Insights on Foundational Learning from Accra to Lagos

Greetings, fellow educators, parents, and lifelong learners. I’ve recently returned from a captivating visit to Accra, Ghana, and the experience was an eye-opener on the state of foundational learning in both Ghana and our own Nigeria. Join me, Ihiese, as I reflect on this educational expedition and the lessons we can glean from our neighboring country.

Shared Legacies, Diverse Paths

Common Colonial Foundations: Our educational systems in both Nigeria and Ghana bear the imprints of our colonial histories. This influence is seen in the structured curriculum centered around core subjects such as mathematics, English, and science. The objective is clear: to furnish our children with the essential skills of literacy and numeracy that are the building blocks of education.

Analyzing the Systems

Ghana’s Extended Mandate: A striking difference that I observed is the duration of mandatory education. Ghana commits to a full twelve years of basic education, starting from the tender age of four up to fifteen years old. This contrasts with our nine-year structure in Nigeria, encompassing primary and junior secondary education.

Shared Hurdles

Confronting Common Challenges: Despite these differences, our challenges are mirror images. Teacher shortages, infrastructural deficits, and an ongoing battle to keep curricula up-to-date and relevant are issues that neither of us can claim victory over just yet.

Standardization vs. Innovation: Both our nations grapple with the delicate act of balancing the demands of standardized testing against the need to nurture critical thinking and creativity in our students. Are we educating to test, or are we teaching to transform?

Lessons Without Borders

Learning from Each Other: My trip, while personal, was imbued with professional revelations. Observing Ghana’s approach to education highlighted the value in exchanging knowledge and strategies. We are companions in this journey, not competitors.

The Balancing Act

Striving for the Ideal: The quest is not for a one-size-fits-all solution but for a harmonized system that provides each child with a robust and holistic foundation. It’s about distilling the best from both worlds to fortify our educational ethos.

Closing Thoughts

As we continue to navigate the evolving landscape of education, let’s take a moment to appreciate the richness of our diverse approaches. By sharing our experiences and learning from one another, we can build a more resilient and dynamic foundation for the next generation.

Until our paths cross again in the realm of discovery and knowledge, I encourage you to stay curious, be open to new ideas, and never cease in the pursuit of learning.

Teaching Your Child to Read: Three Tips to Ease the Journey

Over the past few weeks, we’ve been diving deep into the world of teaching children to read. We’ve covered understanding sounds, blending skills, and ultimately, reading itself. These are all valuable tools to equip you on this exciting adventure.

However, we’ve also heard your frustrations! Teaching your child to read can sometimes feel more challenging than it seems. So, based on my experience, here are three key tips to transform this journey from stressful to successful:

Tip 1: Remember, They’re Learning, Not Stubborn

Children are naturally curious creatures. Everything they know, they’ve learned through either active exploration or observing and imitating others. Think about it – they didn’t just magically start walking or talking! ‍♀️

Tip 2: Don’t Take It Personally

It can be easy to feel like your child is deliberately trying to make things difficult when they resist reading practice. But most often, it’s not personal! They might simply be feeling overwhelmed or uninterested in the activity at that moment.

Tip 3: Outsource if You Need To

Sometimes, the best approach is to prioritize your bond with your child. Teaching can require a level of discipline that might feel different from your usual parenting role. ‍‍‍ If you feel the pressure is mounting, consider outsourcing to a tutor or online program that specializes in reading instruction. ‍

By understanding these points, you can approach teaching your child to read with a calmer and more positive perspective. Remember, the goal is to foster a love for learning, not create a battlefield!

We’ll continue sharing additional resources and tips to support you on this rewarding journey. In the meantime, if you have any questions or specific challenges you’d like to address, feel free to leave a comment below!

The Benefits of Construction (Play-Based) Learning for Early Childhood Education

Amongst early childhood education specialists, construction play-based learning has emerged as a powerful tool for fostering holistic development in young children. This innovative approach combines the joys of play with the educational benefits of constructing and building, providing children with a rich learning experience that extends beyond traditional classroom boundaries.

Cognitive Development

Construction play stimulates cognitive development by engaging children in problem-solving and critical-thinking activities. As they experiment with different materials and structures, children learn to plan, predict outcomes, and troubleshoot problems. This process enhances their ability to think logically and improves their spatial awareness and mathematical skills. For instance, when a child builds a tower with blocks, they intuitively grasp concepts of balance, symmetry, and geometry.

Creativity and Imagination

One of the most significant benefits of construction play is the opportunity it provides for children to express their creativity and imagination. Whether they are building castles, bridges, or fantastical creatures, children are free to explore their ideas and bring their visions to life. This creative freedom fosters innovation and helps children develop a sense of confidence in their abilities to create and manipulate their environment.

Social and Emotional Skills

Construction play often involves collaboration, which is crucial for developing social and emotional skills. Working together on a building project encourages children to communicate, share resources, and negotiate roles. These interactions help children develop empathy, cooperation, and conflict-resolution skills. Additionally, the sense of accomplishment that comes from completing a construction project can boost a child’s self-esteem and sense of competence.

Fine Motor Skills

Handling construction materials such as blocks, Legos, and other building tools helps children develop fine motor skills. These activities require precision and coordination, which strengthen the muscles in their hands and fingers. Improved fine motor skills are essential for tasks such as writing, drawing, and using scissors, which are critical for academic success.

Language Development

As children engage in construction play, they often narrate their actions, describe their creations, and discuss their ideas with peers and adults. This verbal interaction promotes language development and expands their vocabulary. They learn to articulate their thoughts clearly, listen to others, and engage in meaningful conversations, all of which are foundational skills for effective communication.

Practical Applications

Incorporating construction play into early childhood education can be as simple as providing access to a variety of building materials and encouraging open-ended play. Educators and parents can enhance this experience by posing challenges, such as building a bridge that can hold a specific weight or creating a structure using only certain materials. These challenges not only make the play more engaging but also introduce real-world problem-solving scenarios.

In conclusion, construction play-based learning is a multifaceted educational approach that nurtures cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development in young children. By integrating play and learning, it creates a dynamic and enjoyable environment where children can thrive and build the foundation for lifelong learning.