QUOTES about Child Development.....

"Free the child's potential, and you will transform him into the world."
- Maria Montessori

"In early childhood you may lay the foundation of poverty or riches, industry of idleness, good or evil, by the habits to which you train your children. Teach them right habits then, and their future life is safe.”
- Lydia Sigourney

"Children are like wet cement. Whatever falls on them makes an impression.
- Dr. Hiam Ginnot

"The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows."
- Sydney J. Harris


"A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.
- Henry Adams


"Every child comes with the message that God is not yet discouraged of man."
- Rabindranath Tagore

Testing for Intelligence?

A Successful Kindergarten Model in Hungary

In Hungary early childhood education and care (ECEC) is split system-wise into childcare (from childbirth to 3 years of age) and early childhood education (from 3 to 6/7 years of age). While the emphasis of the programs available for all young children and their families has converged substantially over the years in Hungary, the division into these age groups is longstanding. The present study gives a short overview of early education and care of children 3-7 years which is the first stage of public education (kindergarten). In addition to the analysis of policy and services, several facets of the system like structure, funding, budget, administrative and legal regulations, staffing, program content and implementation are discussed.
Hungarian kindergarten-education has a very good reputation world-wide and is the subject of study by many professionals from foreign countries.

Curricular Control and Content

Detailed guidelines for the operation of kindergarten programs exist in the National Core Program for Kindergarten Education. School-based program for children aged 3-7 includes basic skills development, pre-reading, drawing, singing and school preparation. Children are assessed by the kindergarten teachers throughout the school year. As from September 2004, the revised Act on Public education stipulates that all pupils must be assessed in written, individual analysis. Kindergartens are staffed by kindergarten pedagogues who are required to have a tertiary degree of at least 2500 hours, of which 30% is of a practical nature including observations of kindergarten practice, individual and group sessions, and practical courses. They are helped by kindergarten assistants who provide support to the kindergarten pedagogues in the operation of the kindergarten class. Classes are therefore organized into groups with two pedagogues, and the support of an assistant/cleaner. The assistants do not have to have a secondary education and are able, but not required, to take a specialist examination. Currently some 80% of kindergarten teachers have a tertiary degree and a total of 97% have specialized training.